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« March 2008 | Today | May 2008 » April 30, 2008Suspect in Central Falls shooting taken to hospitalAnthony Strobert, the 19-year-old Central Falls man charged with Saturday's shooting death of Helder Tomar, was transported from the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston to the hospital today for treatment of a medical condition, a state corrections spokeswoman said. Strobert was taken from the ACI intake to the hospital at 1 p.m. today, according to Tracy Z. Poole, spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections. He was accompanied by two correctional officers. He was not expected to be released tonight, she said. Although officials would not release the name of the hospital, an ACI van was parked in front of Rhode Island Hospital's emergency entrance earlier this afternoon. Rhode Island Hospital spokeswoman Gail Carvelli would say only that there was heightened security at the hospital today, but said she could not elaborate. The police said witnesses told them that Strobert and Tomar got into a fight Saturday in Jenks Park, Central Falls. After Tomar shot Strobert, Strobert took the gun from Tomar and shot and killed him, according to the police. The shooting of Tomar was one of two separate shootings in Central Falls over the weekend that prompted a 9 p.m. to 5.a.m curfew in the city for all people under age 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney with reports from Jennifer D. Jordan Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:15 PM | Comment Senate OKs bill to end minimum jail time in drug casesPROVIDENCE -- The state Senate today threw support to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for offenders in certain drug-related crimes. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Harold M. Metts, D-Providence, was approved 33 to 3 in the Senate, according to a news release. The same legislation won approval from the Democrat-controlled General Assembly last year but Governor Carcieri, a Republican, vetoed it. The legislature opted not to override that veto last year. Metts asserted the bill would not make Rhode Island soft on crime, but, rather, give judges discretion when it comes to deciding when someone would benefit from treatment and when it’s time to penalize. “Judges are selected because they have the ability to weigh the facts and make reasonable decisions, and we should give them the freedom to use that discretion in each individual case,” said Metts, according to the news release. “This legislation will inject common sense and a certain level of compassion into sentencing people with drug problems. We need a better balance between punishment and restoration. “As it stands now, judges are not allowed to consider any type of mitigating circumstances. In my opinion, judges should be given some sort of discretion in these types of cases,” he added. The bill would end mandatory minimum sentencing for drug possession and change the maximum sentences to 20 years for the smaller quantities of drugs, and 30 years for larger quantities. It eliminates minimum fines -- currently $10,000 for smaller quantities and $25,000 for bigger ones. But maximum fines will remain -- at $50,000 and $1 million, respectively. The Senate bill goes next to the House. A matching House bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph S. Almeida, D-Providence, got House Judiciary Committee approval last week. The House is expected to take it up next week, according to the news release. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:35 PM | Comment 14 co-workers in R.I. share $200,000 Powerball winFourteen co-workers calling themselves the "FMG Fab Fourteen" today claimed a $200,000-winning Powerball ticket from Saturday night's drawing. They work at a Johnston-based company, but a lottery news release did not say which one. The employees have played the lottery together for six years. The group’s organizer bought the winning ticket from the Stop & Shop at 3 Stilson Rd., Richmond. Another $200,000 Powerball ticket sold for the Saturday drawing remains unclaimed. It was bought from Parkway Convenience & Deli at 1154 Narragansett Parkway, Warwick. Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:30 PM | Comment Alert: Senate sends gambling hours bill on to governorPROVIDENCE -- The state Senate late this afternoon approved the House-passed version of legislation to allow 24-hour gambling on weekends and holidays at Rhode Island's video-slot emporiums: Twin River in Lincoln and Newport Grand. The bill cleared the Senate in a 29-to-6 vote. The approval was expected and marks the final legislative vote. The bill will go to the governor. Governor Carcieri said at an impromptu new conference earlier today that he will "most likely" veto the bill, which won House approval last night. (The House and Senate each passed their versions of 24-hour gambling yesterday. As is customary at the State House, Senate members had to approve the House version of the bill, and vice versa, if one or both is to become law). Read coverage of the gambling-hours expansion debate and vote in the House last night. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Katherine Gregg of the Journal State House Bureau Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:56 PM | Comment Photo: That'll be a comb and dry, please
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:42 PM | Comment Same-sex divorce case is back in courtPROVIDENCE -- While the state Supreme Court has said she can’t get divorced in Family Court, one of the women seeking Rhode Island’s first same-sex divorce wants the high court to weigh in on whether another state court -- Superior Court -- can dissolve her marriage. Margaret R. Chambers and Cassandra B. Ormiston married in Fall River, Mass., in 2004, shortly after Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Providence couple sought a divorce in Rhode Island Family Court in 2006. But in a December 2007 decision that drew national attention, a divided Supreme Court ruled that Family Court lacked jurisdiction to grant the divorce. The majority opinion said that under the law allowing Family Court to handle divorces, the word “marriage” means just one thing: the union of a man and a woman. Last week, a lawyer representing Chambers filed a motion asking Superior Court to pose a different question to the Supreme Court: “May the Superior Court properly recognize, for the purpose of entertaining a divorce petition, the marriage of two persons of the same sex who were purportedly married in another state?” That question “is one of extreme public importance, which is capable of repetition but will evade review unless decided by the Supreme Court,” the motion said. Chambers’ lawyer, Louis M. Pulner, said in an interview that the December decision was based on the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 1961 statute that created Family Court, but there would be no such statute to analyze in determining if the Superior Court can grant the divorce. Superior Court, the state’s main trial court, has broader jurisdiction than Family Court, and it handled all divorces before Family Court was created, Pulner said. “So I’m going to back to the court of original jurisdiction,” he said. “How can these people not have a valid right to get a divorce somewhere in this state?” Pulner asked. “How can this state not provide a forum for a lawfully married, albeit same-sex couple to get divorced — just as for any other unhappy, heterosexual, legally married couple?” But Ormiston doubts the Supreme Court will allow the couple to get divorced in Superior Court, and she is preparing to move to Massachusetts, according to Julie A. Lynch, a Fall River lawyer who has been retained by Ormiston to eventually file for divorce in Massachusetts. Lawyers have said the women could get divorced if one of them moves to Massachusetts and lives there for a year. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Lynch, who is not representing Ormiston in the Superior Court matter, said the new motion to certify a question to the Supreme Court is “just delaying the inevitable.” “([Ormiston]) feels, as I do, that they will get the same answer, although I am not, obviously, on the Supreme Court,” Lynch said. “They are asking the same body of people the same question. I find it hard to believe they would answer differently.” Lynch said the couple has been seeking a divorce for two years now and has gotten “absolutely nowhere.” And while she is still living in Providence, Ormiston is planning to move to Massachusetts soon, Lynch said. “She’s looking at different options in Massachusetts,” she said. “The sooner the better, because she needs to get divorced.”
Lynch agreed that it’s an unfair burden. “It’s unfortunate she has to do this, but it’s what the country is going to be facing: All these people who have gotten married in Massachusetts don’t all live in Massachusetts,” she said. “And they are faced with the same issue that my client faces faces, of states that won’t recognize same-sex marriages and won’t allow divorces or annulments.” The case received national attention because it was believe believed to mark the first time that any of the same-sex couples married in Massachusetts had sought a divorce in another state. In December’s 3 to 2 decision, the Supreme Court said, “It is possible that today’s members of the General Assembly might have an understanding of the term ‘marriage’ that differs from the understanding of those legislators who enacted ([that law]) in 1961, but our role is to interpret what was enacted and not to speculate as to what some other not-yet-enacted statute might say or mean.” Citing definitions of marriage from 1961 dictionaries, Justice William P. Robinson III said, “There is absolutely no reason to believe that, when the act creating the Family Court became law in 1961, the legislators understood the word marriage to refer to any state other than ‘the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex.’.” Pulner said he is hopeful Superior Court will grant Chambers a divorce. “The Supreme Court didn’t say they were not validly married,” he said. “It’s impossible to think that these people, who are legally married, have no recourse.” Pulner said Chambers has “absolutely no intention of packing up and moving to Massachusetts, nor should she have to. That is why I continue to pursue this litigation in the state of Rhode Island, which is where she lives.” The motion to certify a question to the Supreme Court is scheduled to be heard before Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Hurst on May 8. Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:03 PM | Comment Senate to take up House's gambling bill todayPROVIDENCE -- The state Senate today will take up -- for immediate consideration -- the House-passed version of legislation to allow 24-hour gambling at Rhode Island's video-slot emporiums: Twin River in Lincoln and Newport Grand. If approved, as is expected, it would mark the final legislative vote and the bill would go to the governor. (The House and Senate each passed their versions of 24-hour gambling yesterday. As is customary at the State House, Senate members still have to approve the House version of the bill, and vice versa if one or both is to become law). But Governor Carcieri said at an impromptu new conference earlier today that he will "most likely" veto the bill, which won House approval last night. Read coverage of the gambling-hours expansion debate and vote in the House last night. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Katherine Gregg of the Journal State House Bureau Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:54 PM | Comment Will May weather wither April flowers?You'd really dig this, were it an April Fool's joke that got lost in the e-mail and arrived the last day of the month. But it's not: A frost advisory is in effect from midnight tonight to 7 a.m., according to a National Weather Service advisory out today. Yes, frost -- the cold stuff that comes when fall heads toward winter -- is arriving as April turns into May. Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-30s between midnight and 7 a.m. That will result in areas of frost, the weather service said. The advisory applies to southeast Providence, eastern Kent, Bristol, and Newport counties. Not digging it? At least you won't be plowing through inches of cold stuff on May 1. That's according to what the weather service advisory says, anyway. (Rhode Islanders know to never tempt fate). The weather service reports that a cool Canadian air mass "will continue to overspread" southern New England tonight. People with "agricultural interests" are advised to harvest or protect tender vegetation. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:37 PM | Comment Update: Governor 'likely' to veto 24-hour gambling billAt an impromptu press conference this afternoon, Governor Carcieri said he would “most likely’’ veto the 24-hour gambling bill approved last night by the House and Senate. He said he has “serious reservations and concerns about the amount they are estimating. I really think its way over inflated.’’ He said he was also unswayed by the pledge that up to $14.1 million of the new gambling dollars would go into school aid, because “money from lots of different pockets goes into schools aid.’’ But Carcieri said the overriding issue for him is this: “I just don’t feel that it’s the state’s role to steamroll cities and towns…and both Lincoln and Newport have been pretty clear they don’t want 24-hour (gambling). I’ve said this consistently. I told that to the speaker and Senate president…so I’ve got to see, but it’s going to be very difficult for me to support this.’’ Representatives of both communities also weighed in today on the bill's passage. -- Journal staff writers Katherine Gregg and John Hill Despite the promise of additional money for Lincoln, Town Councilman Keith E. Macksoud, whose district includes the Twin River gaming complex, had this to say: “I’m disappointed it passed...the General Assembly has gone against the wishes of the people of Lincoln.” He said he was at least pleased that the bill included their three requests: limiting it to weekends and holidays; more money for Lincoln and a "sunset" provision in 2009. “But the town has already said no. I think he [the governor] should veto it … He said he would leave it up to the people of Lincoln.” Town Council Vice President James R. Jahnz said, “The expansion really doesn’t follow the wishes of the citizens of Lincoln. … If the governor sticks to what he said, he’ll veto it. That would go with the wishes of the community and the council." Asked if the money was enough to assuage his displeasure, Jahnz said, “My real concern is that there is going to be a steady stream of traffic up from Providence after 1 a.m. We’re going to need additional police and fire” and road work. He said he was somewhat resigned to the change. “I’m not sure what the alternative is,” Jahnz said. “You can sit there and scream as loud as you want, but it doesn’t look like anyone is listening.” Newport Mayor Stephen C. Waluk said his community’s position “has been and is opposition to any kind of increase in hours or table games, any kind of expansion of gambling without our approval and there has been no referendum. There has been no ballot question whatsoever on the issue so we remain opposed to it.’’ “We appreciate the governor keeping us in mind as well as the people of Lincoln who have spoken out against it as well,’’ he said. “From my personal perspective, Newport Grand is a good neighbor. I have no problems with them whatsoever and I don’t even think this is their doing necessarily, but the the reality is this is an end-around the people of Newport having a say (in) what actually goes on in our own community.That’s bad. It’s bad at present, and it doesn’t bode well for the future when other casinos attempts are made to cut us out of the loop.’’ With the threat of 24-hour gambling in the wind, the Newport City Council voted unanimously in September for a resolution opposing 24-hour gambing and noting that “the citizens of Newport have voted consistently against the establishment and expansion of gambling facilities in Newport.’’ Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:07 PM | Comment Verizon expands its technology investment in R.I.Verizon said this morning it is making a capital investment of approximately $86 million in new network technology to expand its FiOS cable television service to more communities in Rhode Island. The company said it is also expanding its Providence-based Fiber Solutions Center, where at least 50 more union-represented technicians and customer service representatives will be hired. A total of 350 new jobs have been created since the center opened in 2006. The company also will upgrade its Verizon High Speed Internet Service, based on DSL technology, to Cranston, Hope Valley, Jamestown, Narragansett, Pawtucket, Providence, Tiverton and Weekapaug. Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless announced that it spent $292 million to upgrade its New England voice and data networks and hired more than 500 employees in the region in 2007. -- Journal Business Editor John Kostrzewa Posted by Jack Perry at 3:01 PM | Comment Pawtucket man sentenced for 'fill this bag' bank robberyPROVIDENCE -- A Pawtucket man was sentenced today to more than three years in prison for robbing the Pawtucket Credit Union in March last year. William Harper, 41, received the 37-month sentence for taking about $3,600 from the the Pawtucket Credit Union on Broadway, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office. Harper pleaded guilty in October to bank robbery. Prosecutor Zechariah Chafee said at the plea hearing the government could show that on March 14 last year Harper, wearing a ski mask, went into the Credit Union at 540 Broadway. According to the news release, when Harper did not get attention at one teller window, he went to another teller, pushed in front of a customer, and thrust a plastic bag toward the teller, saying, “Fill this bag. Hurry up.” The teller put about $3,600 in the bag, and Harper fled. He was arrested at his Woodlawn Avenue apartment about a month later. Prosecutors said that after detectives confronted him with bank surveillance photos, he admitted to the robbery. Pawtucket police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:55 PM | Comment Mass. eyes rail link to New Bedford, Fall RiverBOSTON -- State transportation officials say they've narrowed their list of possible routes for a proposed $1.4 billion commuter rail link to New Bedford and Fall River, Mass. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick made the rail project one of his top transportation goals. It's intended to help reinvigorate the South Coast economy. Officials looked at 65 possible alternatives and narrowed the list to five. The final list includes running the commuter rail through Attleboro or Middleborough using diesel or electric power or running through Stoughton also using diesel or electric power. Another option is creating an express bus in a dedicated lane to South Station using Routes 24 and 128. A final decision is expected in 2010. -- The Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:52 PM | Comment Update: A plea to Bishop Tobin to reach out to abusedThe national director for a group representing clergy abuse victims called this morning on the Most Rev. Thomas Tobin, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Providence, to take a more active role in helping prosecute two priests who once worked in the diocese and are now facing allegations that they molested children. ``We’re begging Bishop Tobin to be a true pastor and reach out to the wounded,’’ said David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, describing Tobin’s response to the issue so far as ``reckless.’’ ``When any of us have an ability to jail a serial predator’’ and chose instead to do ``the bare minimum,’’ Clohessy said, ``we believe that is reckless.’’ Clohessy says his group believes that there are, in the Providence diocese, victims of abuse by The Revs. Phillip A. Magaldi and Aaron J. Cote, or at least witnesses, who, if Tobin encouraged them to step forward, could help police criminally prosecute the two priests. Father Magaldi served in at least three Rhode Island parishes from 1961 through the 1980s before being transferred to parishes in Texas in 1990. Father Magaldi was removed from active priesthood in 1999 after a sexual-misconduct allegation emerged here. Two more local allegations arose in 2002 and 2007. Three other allegations have arisen in Texas. He lives in a private retirement center in Texas and is now reportedly HIV positive. Last year the Dominican order and the archbishop of Washington awarded a Maryland man $1.25 million to settle a suit that he was allegedly abused as a teenage boy by the Rev. Aaron J. Cote, who later, in 2003, was transferred to Providence to be a youth minister at St. Pius V Church. Clohessy said this morning that police in western Massachusetts are now investigating another allegation that Cote molested two young brothers after the Providence diocese suspended him in 2005. The Diocese issued a statement today, saying it's "important to note that allegations of sexual abuse relative to Fr. Magaldi were not made until after he left the Diocese of Providence. The diocese did however launch an investigation into the allegations. The findings were then forwarded to the Diocese of Ft. Worth to assist in their investigation. Additionally, Bishop Tobin has written to Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Ft. Worth in support of his efforts to seek laicization of Fr. Magaldi. The Office of Education and Compliance is in frequent communication with local law enforcement concerning allegations of sexual abuse by clergy." It added, "Upon receiving a credible allegation of abuse relative to Fr. Cote, the Diocese of Providence immediately requested that his order remove him from ministry. Fr. Cote was never a diocesan priest, rather a Dominican priest assigned to the diocese by his order." Clohessy suggested that if Tobin does not respond in the more aggressive way, Catholics could withhold church donations and give their money to other charitable causes. The Diocese responded by saying it "is unfortunate that SNAP would encourage the faithful to withhold donations that support a number of charitable efforts for those in need. As state leaders face difficult choices and are forced to cut social service programs, organizations such as the Diocese of Providence make every effort tofill gaps created by such cuts. Withholding charitable donations to the diocese only hurts the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders who struggle each day to provide life’s basic needs for their families." The diocese says anyone who wants to report sexual misconduct by anyone who serves the church to contact Lt. Robert McCarthy, Office of Education & Compliance, at 941-0760. McCarthy is in "regular contact with local law enforcement about such matters," according to the diocese. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:56 PM | Comment Providence woman admits forging prescriptionsPROVIDENCE -- A Providence woman has admitted to a drug distribution and health-care fraud operation in which she sold forged oxycodone and hydrocodone prescriptions or traded them for crack cocaine. Carol M. DiPina, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to forging prescriptions for oxycodone and hydrocodone on stolen forms and having other people fill the prescriptions at pharmacies, according to a news release today from U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office. They got the prescriptions at little or no cost because health insurers, including Medicaid, reimbursed the pharmacies. Prosecutor Adi Goldstein said at the plea hearing the government could show DiPina got pads of blank prescription forms from Rhode Island Hospital then forged prescriptions for various drugs, including OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicet, and Vicodin. The prosecution at the plea heaing said evidence showed DiPina obtained the Rhode Island Hospital pads through other individuals. She sometimes drove conspirators to the hospital so they could steal the forms, the prosecution contended, according to Tom Connell, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office. DiPina had no connection to Rhode Island Hospital. It was not clear whether conspirators had a direct connection to the hospital. DiPina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distributing a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit health-care fraud, and health-care fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distributing a controlled substance; 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for health-care fraud; and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit health-care fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5. According to prosecutors, DiPina wrote prescriptions in the names of people who benefitted from Rhode Island Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield RiteCare or private insurance. She sometimes used her own maiden name, Carol Sheed. A DiPina associate told investigators that DiPina would pay him between $50 and $90 for each OxyContin prescription that he filled.
A January search of DiPina’s apartment found a shoe box containing Rhode Island Hospital prescriptions for controlled substances. Agents also seized prescription pill bottles, ledgers containing DiPina’s customers' names, health insurance information of other people, doctors' names and their DEA registration numbers, and crack pipes. Using forged prescriptions, DiPina got about 307,000 milligrams of OxyContin -- a typical pill has 40 to 80 milligrams -- for her and customers, plus some 13,100 dosage units of hydrocodone. From 2001 to January 2008, Medicaid reimbursed pharmacies about $121,000 for the fraudulent prescriptions, and Blue Cross Blue Shield reimbursed about $17,000. Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:01 PM | Comment Loudspeakers deliver curfew message in Central FallsThe police in Central Falls hit the streets last night in police cruisers to enforce the first night of a curfew initiated by the mayor after two teenagers were shot and killed on the streets. Patrol officers used the loudspeakers to remind residents that anyone younger than 18 had to be off the streets or with a guardian between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. “First we did education,” Police Chief Joseph Moran said today. On Saturday, 19-year-old Helder Tomar, of Pawtucket, was shot in Jenks Park. The police say Tomar and Anthony Strobert, 19, Central Falls, got into a fight and Tomar pulled out a gun. He shot Strobert, who was able to take the gun from Tomar, and shot and killed him, the police say. Strobert, who was being treated at Rhode Island Hospital, was charged with Tomar’s death. The next day, thr police found 16-year-old Edelmiro Roman, a Central Falls High School student, shot at the intersection of Dexter and Darling Streets. The police have not made an arrest in his killing. Moran has said he believes Sunday’s shooting may have been retaliation for Saturday’s shooting. Your Turn: React to the curfew imposed in Central Falls Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:46 PM | Comment Senate resolution honors Khmer Rouge survivorA resolution to honor the life and work of a Cambodian photojournalist and human rights advocate has passed in the Senate. Senate Resolution 515 –– sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and co-sponsored by 11 additional senators, including Jack Reed –– refers to Dith Pran as a modern day hero; an exemplar of what it means to be an American citizen as well as a citizen of the world. Pran documented many of the atrocities by the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia in the late 1970s. He also coined the term “killing fields” -- the title of a feature film released in 1984 -- to refer to the concentrations of dead bodies he saw as he made his way from Cambodia to Thailand. “From his efforts to help foreign journalists escape from a collapsing Cambodia, to his own struggle to escape the Khmer Rouge’s killing fields, to his tireless work on behalf of genocide victims worldwide, Dith Pran showed a never ending commitment to human rights and dignity,” Whitehouse said in a statement. “On behalf of Rhode Island’s Cambodian community, I’m proud that the Senate has honored Dith Pran, and I hope this resolution will help his message endure.” Rhode Island is home to one of the largest Cambodian refugee populations in the country. Pran, who died March 30 in New Jersey, sought refuge in the United States in 1980 and eventually became a citizen. He founded the Dith Pran Holocaust Awareness Project to educate the world about what he witnessed in Cambodia. Read the text of the resolution online. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:16 PM | Comment RIC poll: Voters weigh in on ways to close deficitTo close a projected budget deficit, majorities of Rhode Islanders support getting rid of the lieutenant governor's office, cuts to welfare and merging Rhode Island College and CCRI, according to a poll out today. A news release on the poll, conducted from April 17 to 28 by the Bureau of Government Research and Services, at Rhode Island College, also notes that people opposed cutting state money to Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island. The poll took in 400 randomly selected registered voters and has a 4.5 percentage-point error margin. Voters surveyed favored Governor Carcieri's proposal to reduce the maximum amount of time a family can stay on welfare. Majorities also supported eliminating the office of lieutenant governor and merging Rhode Island College and CCRI into one school to reduce expenses. But they were closely divided on the following proposals: * About one in two supported round-the-clock gambling in Newport and Lincoln, while an almost identical number opposed it. * Almost half of poll takers opposed large state employee layoffs, while a similar number supported them. * Slightly more than half disagreed with the proposal to release early well behaved, non-sex-offender prisoners from the ACI, while four in 10 supported the proposal * A little more than half opposed privatization to reduce the state workforce about 40 percent were in support. * About half were against RIte Care cuts, while one-third support them. State aid cuts to CCRI, RIC,and URI or to cities/towns did not win majority support, according to the release summarizing the poll: * More than eight in 10 surveyed disagreed with cutting $17.1 million from the budget of CCRI, RIC, and URI; about one in 10 supported it. * Two in three opposed cuts in state aid to cities and towns for non-school purposes. Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:11 PM | Comment T.F. Green to install new emergency notification systemThe Rhode Island Airport Police at T. F. Green Airport said this morning it will install a new emergency notification system to aid in their communications during emergencies and security breaches. The system, supplied by PURVIS Systems Inc., based in Middletown, will allow airport police officials to establish immediate contact with officers, first responders and outside units nationwide. RI Airport Police Chief David Hayden said, “Since our work at T.F. Green presents a myriad of security issues, we required a communications system that would allow us to extend our reach beyond the members of our own unit, while enabling us to inform key officials in other airports nationwide.” Don Dupuis, director of public safety at PURVIS Systems, Inc., said, “Travel safety remains a top-of-mind issue among officials, employees and travelers alike, and the need to communicate effectively is a critical element in providing that security. PURVIS ENS has been designed precisely to accommodate this form of communication, and we look forward to working with the Rhode Island Airport Police as they put the system to use.” -- Journal Business Editor John Kostrzewa Posted by Jack Perry at 12:08 PM | Comment Doctor convicted for legal abortion to speak tonightKenneth Edelin was convicted of manslaughter after performing a legal abortion in Massachusetts in the 1970s. One year later, his conviction was overturned, and Edelin went on to become a dean at Boston University’s Medical School. Tonight he is set to address Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island’s annual spring fundraiser: Justice for All. The event is set for tonight 6 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Edelin will talk about the experiences chronicled in his book, “Broken Justice: A True Story of Race, Sex and Revenge in a Boston Courtroom." Tickets for the event range from $25 to $100. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the PPRI Web site. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:26 AM | Comment Providence pub owner in D.C. to see Irish P.M.The owner of Patrick’s Pub, on Smith Street, is in Washington today to hear an address by the prime minister of Ireland. The bar’s owner, Patrick Griffin, is a native of Ireland who came to the United States in 1984. Two years later he opened the bar, and has also served as the president of the state’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. “I’m proud that Patrick Griffin will represent Rhode Island on this remarkable occasion,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who sponsored Griffin’s visit, said in a statement. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Irish prime minister, is stepping down after more than a decade. Joining Griffin will be Speaker of the House William Murphy and John Murphy, Chairman of Home Loan Investment Bank, FSB. The two Murphy's are guests of Rep. James Langevin. “I am delighted that Speaker Murphy and Mr. Murphy will be able to join me on this historic occasion, especially since this will likely be the Taoiseach’s last address before Congress,” Langevin said in a statement. "As active members of the Irish community in Rhode Island, I thought they were fitting to represent our state at this address.” Ahern’s address to Congress will be televised on C-SPAN 1 today at 11:00 a.m. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:59 AM | Comment Taking the State House to the people tonightCapitol City is coming to Warwick. The House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare is holding a formal hearing in that city today. Testimony will be heard on the following bills: H-8187, by Rep. David Segal, D-Providence, East Providence, would prohibit any hospital, chair and/or network of hospitals from merging when the resulting entity would control or operate more than 50 percent of the hospitals beds in the state. H-7714: A bill by Rep. Smith to give the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education the authority to require parents of “chronically disruptive students” to attend conferences. H-7713: A bill by Rep. Steven Smith, D-Providence, Johnston, to make changes related to the Rhode Island Certification Standards Board for teachers and administrators. H-8167, by Rep. Carol Mumford, R-Scituate, Cranston, would create an ordinance allowing Scituate Town Council to charge for animal licenses. The hearing is set for this evening at the Aspray Boat House, near Pawtuxet Park. It should begin between 6 and 6:30 p.m. The hearing is open to the public and will be taped by Capitol TV for later broadcast. Capitol TV programming can be seen on Channel 15 by Cox Communications and Full Channel subscribers and on Channel 34 for Verizon subscribers. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:41 AM | Comment Health care forum heads to WoonsocketIn the sixth of several meetings, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts is taking her health-care proposal on tour, this time, to Woonsocket. Tonight Roberts will be joined by local officials and supporters of her eight-bill health-care plan to a community meeting. The public is invited and encouraged to ask questions and share stories about the effects of rising health care costs. Woonsocket and Smithfield residents are invited to the meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton Street in Woonsocket Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:31 AM | Comment Signs the circus is coming to townPROVIDENCE -- If you drove into work through downtown this morning, you may already have spotted the sure signs that the circus is in town. Pink, yellow, blue fluffy "things" are hanging from poles near parking garages and crosswalks, aimed at catching the eye of youngsters as they head to the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Sabin Street. Tonight, the 138th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens a five-day run at the Dunk with a 7 o'clock show. Tickets are $15 to $75, available at the Dunk box office or through Ticketmaster at (401) 331-2211 and www.ticketmaster.com. For information, call (401) 331-0700 or visit www.ringling.com. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 8:27 AM | Comment Former New England mob leader indicted in Mass.DEDHAM, Mass. -- A grand jury indicted 13 people, including former New England mob leader Vincent Ferrara of Boston, on state gambling charges yesterday. Ferrara, 59, once a captain of the New England Mafia, was released early from a federal racketeering sentence in 2005 by a federal judge who found that prosecutors may have coerced Ferrara into admitting to a murder he did not commit. In the Norfolk County indictment, he is accused of one misdemeanor charge of conspiring to use a telephone for gambling purposes. He faces a possible year in jail and $2,000 fine if convicted. He could be sent back to prison if found to have violated his federal probation by committing any new crimes. Ferrara's attorney, Martin Weinberg, declined to comment on the gambling case, saying he has not seen the indictment. "The mere allegation of being involved in a misdemeanor does not dictate that he's culpable or facing federal jeopardy," Weinberg said Tuesday night. -- The Associated Dominic Santoro, 62, of Quincy and Marston Mills is accused of being the leader of the alleged gambling ring that operated in Boston and on the South Shore between June and October last year. He is charged with organizing a gambling ring, using a telephone to register bets, placing bets and conspiracy. Santoro could not immediately be reached. It's not known if he has an attorney. Norfolk District Attorney William Keating said the indictments ended "a substantial illegal gaming racket." The defendants have not been arrested, and will be summoned to court when a date is set for arraignment. U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf in Boston released Ferrara in May 2005. He found that a federal prosecutor failed to tell defense lawyers a key witness recanted testimony claiming Ferrara ordered the 1985 killing of Vincent "Jimmy" Limoli, a mob foot soldier who allegedly stole drugs from another mobster. Weinberg said Ferrara was innocent, but pleaded guilty to the murder along with racketeering charges to avoid a possible life sentence. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment Rain reprieveToday is starting off sunny and dry, but only one of those two will persist throughout the day. The National Weather Service is forecasting increasing cloud cover as the day goes on with a high temperature near 61 degrees and west winds up to 16 mph. Skies should clear up later tonight when the temperature drops to the freezing point and breezy winds come from the west. There's a slight chance of rain tomorrow when the temperature is set to reach 62 degrees. Expect clouds all day and a light, south wind. To keep an eye on the weather, check projo.com's weather page. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page features a story about a curfew set in Central Falls after the fatal shootings this weekend of two teenagers. Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment April 29, 2008Update: Central Falls orders curfew for those under 18
Some 300 people attended a community meeting this afternoon about what's happened. They included parents, police and community officials. Parents were urged to be vigilant, keep children indoors and watch who they're hanging out with. Police have released the name of the second of two teenage boys who were killed in the separate shootings in Central Falls over the weekend. Police Chief Joseph Moran said 16-year-old Edelmiro Roman, a Central Falls High School student, was found shot and unarmed at the corner of Dexter and Darling Streets on Sunday night. No suspects have been named. Moran has said that Roman's death may be retaliation for a shooting Saturday afternoon that left 19-year-old Helder Tomar, of Harvey Street in Pawtucket, dead in Jenks Park. Anthony Strobert, 19, of Pacific Street -- who was also shot during Saturday's incident -- has been charged with Tomar’s slaying. Fears of another retaliatory shooting led to students being released from Central Falls High School yesterday afternoon under the watch of local police. Dozens of parents took their children out of school early. Many students stayed out of school today, according to Angelo Garcia, the executive director of Channel One, despite administrators' assurance that school is the safest place for kids to be. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina Parents have been calling Channel One, a youth services center, saying they were afraid to let their children out of their sight. But Garcia said he's tried to convince them that the safest place the children can be is at the school. Bryan Ramos, 16, said he was a friend of Roman's. He remembered the teenager as the calm, quiet type who kept to himself and was interested in business. The two had finance class together. "He didn't really talk a lot unless you knew him," Ramos said. Ramos didn't put much stock into the idea that his friend was shot as part of an ongoing dispute. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the teenager said of Roman. "He wasn't involved in any of that type of stuff." Channel One's Garcia said he is taking this recent rash of violence in Central Falls personally. "People say 'Don't go to Central Falls,'" he explained, "But I'm a Central Falls guy, and it's hard to hear that ... we've never been a violent community."
Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:10 PM | Comment House passes bill requiring employers to use E-VerifyPROVIDENCE -- The House today approved legislation that would require employers to use a program that checks whether a prospective new hire is in the country legally or can work here legally. The House voted 53 to 17 for the bill sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien, D-Woonsocket, in what a news release called an initiative to deter illegal immigration. All Rhode Island companies would have to use the Federal Basic Employment Verification Pilot Program -- known as “E-Verify” and “Basic Pilot." According to a news release, about 115 employers in the state already voluntarily use the program in which employers use the Internet to submit to the federal government information they are already must collect from new hires to see -- usually within seconds -- if the person is allowed to work in the United States. Employers enter a person's name, birth date and Social Security number or immigration documentation into a form and submit it using the Internet to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Companies with 200 or more employees would have to apply to participate in E-Verify by July 1, 2009. Those with 50 to 199 employees would have to apply by Jan. 1, 2009, and those with fewer than 50 would have until Jan. 1, 2010. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney “Instituting E-Verify would send a message to people who are in this country illegally that Rhode Island is not the place for them," Brien said in the statement. "Knowing they won’t be able to work because every employer is going to check their status will make people who are here illegally go somewhere else, relieving our state of the burden that illegal aliens place on our state budget in terms of education, health care, incarceration, and social services." Matching legislation is pending in the Senate. Legislation passed in the House last year but not in the Senate. The use of the E-Verify system is also part of a recent executive order by Governor Carcieri that aims at dealing with several issues tied to illegal immigration. His order, however, only requires state agencies and vendors to use E-Verify. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:45 PM | Comment Senate OKs 24-hour gambling on weekends, holidaysPROVIDENCE -- The state Senate voted 27 to 6 early this evening to approve 24-hour gambling on weekends and state and federal holidays at two slot parlors. But with one twist -- the Senate's approval includes an amendment setting a sunset clause of June 30, 2009. The House is expected to take up the measure tonight. The votes come at a time when the General Assembly grapples with several measures to deal with a looming budget deficit. Earlier this year, officials at Twin River estimated the extra gambling hours could raise an additional $11.8 million for the state. The state already depends on slot machines to provide about 8 percent of state income. And the Senate gave a little extra money to Lincoln -- where the Twin River gaming facility is located -- and Newport, which hosts Newport Grand. Lincoln will get a projected additional $1.1 million and Newport, a projected additional $173,005, in revenue from the expanded gambling hours. Also, the Senate committed up to $14.1 million of additional projected gambling revenue to school aid for communities, but there is no explicit promise that will increase anyone's school aid -- just that the expanding gambling will be a source of the aid. Extra: Take a look at who voted for and against the Senate bill, as well as those who did not vote.
The vote, originally scheduled for last week, was repeatedly delayed while House Speaker William Murphy and Senate President Joseph Montalbano fought over how much extra gambling revenue Lincoln and Newport should receive for putting up with longer gambling hours. Republican Governor Carcieri will not support expanded gambling if residents in Lincoln and Newport are against it, Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said today. Neal would not comment on whether Carcieri would veto the bill. Last week, Carcieri told Rep. Robert Watson, the Republican minority leader, that he would veto, Watson said. Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the House and Senate. "We're in a tough spot right now," said Democratic Rep. William San Bento Jr., who sponsored the bill. "We need to raise revenue. We're trying not to hurt the elderly and the poor." But the proposals have critics, particularly among people who live near the slot parlors. In a nonbinding referendum in November, Lincoln residents rejected longer gambling hours at Twin River and also opposed turning the slot parlor into a traditional casino offering card and table games. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:32 PM | Comment Nursing home supporters rally against proposed cutsPROVIDENCE -- Several hundred nursing home supporters rallied at the State House rotunda this afternoon, protesting Governor Carcieri’s proposed cuts to payments to nursing homes and chanting “No cuts, no cuts,” as lawmakers arrived for the afternoon session. “What these cuts mean is that nursing home residents will have to wait a little longer for help,” said Virginia M. Burke, president of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, as hundreds of protesters assembled on the steps of the rotunda and filled the second floor balcony. “These cuts will have a real human impact.” Approximately 9,000 Rhode Islanders live in nursing homes across the state. In an effort to bridge a projected $385 million deficit for the coming fiscal year, Carcieri has proposed a series of cuts across virtually all areas of state government. Nursing home advocates say that two areas targeted for reduction in their budgets -- delaying payment of an annual inflationary increase and reducing the labor reimbursement nursing homes receive -- are untenable and would result in the loss of matching federal money. Under the governor’s budget plan, the state would save $1.9 million by delaying the inflation increase. Nursing home advocates point out that by doing so, the nursing homes would lose and additional $2.1 million in federal funds -- a net decrease of $4 million. Because the inflationary increase comes one to two years after nursing homes have already paid their bills, the nursing homes are not being reimbursed for money they have already spent, Burke explained. Last year, a similar delay cost Rhode Island nursing homes $7 million, “in money they’ve already spent and will never get back,” Burke said. -- Journal staff writer Jennifer D. Jordan The other proposed cut would save the state $2.4 million by lowering the amount nursing homes are reimbursed for labor costs. Advocates say the nursing homes would lose an equal amount in matching federal money. One local nursing home would have to lay off 12 percent of its staff in order to break even after the cuts, said Richard Gamache, administrator of the Elmhurst Extended Care Facility. “When elders call the bell for help, who will be there? Who will help them get to a bathroom or help with meals or soiled sheets?” Gamache asked the cheering crowd. “Is that acceptable to you? These cuts are not only unacceptable -- they are insane.” Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:33 PM | Comment Update: PC loses power, cancelling 7 p.m. classesPROVIDENCE -- A power failure hit Providence College this afternoon, spurring the cancellation of all 7 p.m. classes. The college is largely without power at this hour. There is some back-up power in place, according to college spokeswoman Pat Vieira. Power went down shortly before 3 p.m., Vieira said, adding that National Grid is working on the matter. David Graves, a National Grid spokesman, said it looks as though a wire that belongs to the college may have come down and struck a device called a riser on a utility pole. He said National Grid personnel were checking to see if there was any damage to a power cable that runs within the riser. Classes at 4 p.m. were going on as scheduled. Students may call the emergency message line at 865-1012 for information. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:54 PM | Comment College Graduate Job Fair now at Save The Bay CenterPROVIDENCE — Today, companies are at the Save The Bay Center, 100 Save The Bay Drive, on the Providence/Cranston line, from 4 to 7 p.m., conducting interviews for job openings as part of the projoJobs College Graduate Career Fair. Sponsored by The Providence Journal, this free career fair features résumé critiquing, on-the-spot interviewing, and prize giveaways. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:47 PM | Comment Newfoundland comes to Warwick -- dogs, that isWARWICK -- The Newfoundland Club of America National Specialty Show began today and will run through Saturday at the Crowne Plaza hotel. More than 600 people, some bringing their dogs and some to watch the proceedings, are expected from nearly every state and many countries for the event, whose theme this year is "SEAS the Day." Opening day features a Draft Test with 15 dogs and carts in the competition, obedience trials, regional rally trial, a cardiac clinic, and a speech by Janet Wojciechowski, DVM, on allergies and skin problems. Tomorrow, a second Obedience Trial National Rally will be held along with judging for puppies and veteran dogs. A Breeders’ Class will showcase successful breeders. There will be a working dog educational seminar and forum on breeding with a panel of experts, from 8 until 10 p.m. More dog classes and selections will be held on Thursday including a Pet Partners event for those interested in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy. In the afternoon there will be a rescue parade featuring personal stories of people and their Newfoundlands. In the evening a black-tie event will follow the awards and allow spectators to visit with the dogs, their owners and handlers. On Friday more events and judging are planned, including a Decorative Darting Exhibition on the theme of “by the sea.” The day will end with the Honors Parade to salute title holders and celebrate versatile Newfoundlands. The final day will be judging for Junior Showmanship, Best of Breed, and an awards banquet. All the events are open to the public. See a show schedule here. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:49 PM | Comment Brown professor joins National Academy of ScienceA 145-year-old scientific organization that politicians and scientists look to for guidance has inducted 72 new members. And Rhode Island has made a contribution. The group for was signed into being by Abraham Lincoln to be called upon by government to act as investigators an advisers on issues of science and technology. The newest inductees, who are chosen each April from a list of nominees, were announced today. The operating arm of the National Academy is the National Research Council. These two organizations, along with the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine are known as the National Academies. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:10 PM | Comment Man gets 2 years in prison for role in mob-linked extortionPROVIDENCE -- A Taunton, Mass., man linked to a Rhode Island-based extortion ring was excoriated by a federal judge today for ``a history of assaultive behavior,’’ and sentenced to two years in prison. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi told the defendant, Lawrence Crites, that she felt he deserved more time than the 18 months in prison that had been recommended by the U.S. Attorney’s office. Crites, a large strapping man in a dark suit, stood before a microphone and answered several questions that Lisi posed. She was bewildered that a married father with three children who runs his own roofing company would agree to be a ``muscle’’ guy for the mob. ``What were you thinking?’’ she said. ``Evidently, I wasn’t,’’ he said. In imposing the stiffer sentence, Lisi noted that Crites had previously been arrested four times on assault charges, including one that involved a police officer. ``You’ve got some issues that you need to deal with,’’ she said. The extortion plot dates back to 2006. The authorities say that the ring was directed by Anthony M. ``The Saint’’ St. Laurent, a longtime capo regime in the Patriarca crime family. St. Laurent ran the ring from his home at 2 Rotary Dr., in Johnston. In January 2007, St. Laurent was sentenced to five years in prison. -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski At the sentencing, federal prosecutors said that had the case gone to trial, the government could prove that in April 2006, St. Laurent directed James G. Manning of Cranston, and Ricky E. Silva, of North Providence, a felon with a lengthy and violent past, to collect $100,000 from a pizza parlor owner and bookmaker/drug dealer in the Taunton area. If the two targets failed to pay, St. Laurent instructed Manning and Silva to ``bash’’ them. On April 6, 2006, Manning, Silva and an unnamed FBI informant traveled to Massachusetts to look for the intended victims. Once there, Crites met them and he was supposed to help them find the extortion targets. All four men were arrested the next day. Silva was sentenced to 5 years in prison, while Manning received 2 years. Today, Crites’ lawyer, Timothy Morgan, and Peter H. Nerohna, the federal prosecutor, had very different views of Crites’ role in the extortion scheme. Morgan described him as a minor player; while Nerohna said,``he was the muscle with Mr. Silva.’’ Nerohna said that Crites was secretly recorded telling one of the extortion victims, ``You’re dealing with The Saint. You’re paying now and that’s it.’’ That recording, coupled with Crites’ record of assaults, weighed heavily on Lisi. She also felt that Crites deserved the same penalty as Manning: 2 years in prison. ``There is a history of assaultive behavior and that’s exactly what (Crites) was going to do here,’’ she said. ``You had every opportunity to walk away from it and you didn’t,’’ she said. She ordered Crites to report to a yet-to-be named federal prison on May 23 to begin serving his sentence. Until then, he remains free on bail. Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:06 PM | Comment Update: 2nd teen shooting victim in Central Falls ID'dPolice have released the name of the second of two teenage boys who were killed in separate shootings in Central Falls over the weekend. Police Chief Joseph Moran said 16-year-old Edelmiro Roman, a Central Falls High School student, was found shot and unarmed at the corner of Dexter and Darling Streets on Sunday night. No suspects have been named. Moran has said that Roman's death may be retaliation for a shooting Saturday afternoon that left 19-year-old Helder Tomar, of Harvey Street in Pawtucket, dead in Jenks Park. Anthony Strobert, 19, of Pacific Street — who was also shot during Saturday's incident — has been charged with Tomar’s slaying. Fears of another retaliatory shooting led to students being released from Central Falls High School yesterday afternoon under the watch of local police. Dozens of parents took their children out of school early. Many students stayed out of school today, according to Angelo Garcia, the executive director of Channel One, despite administrators' assurance that school is the safest place for kids to be. Correction: The police earlier today gave an incorrect spelling for the 16-year-old boy's name. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina Parents have been calling Channel One, a youth services center, saying they were afraid to let their children out of their sight. But Garcia said he's tried to convince them that the safest place the children can be is at the school. Bryan Ramos, 16, said he was a friend of Roman's. He remembered the teenager as the calm, quiet type who kept to himself and was interested in business. The two had finance class together. "He didn't really talk a lot unless you knew him," Ramos said. Ramos didn't put much stock into the idea that his friend was shot as part of an ongoing dispute. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the teenager said of Roman. "He wasn't involved in any of that type of stuff." Channel One's Garcia said he is taking this recent rash of violence in Central Falls personally. "People say 'Don't go to Central Falls,'" he explained, "But I'm a Central Falls guy, and it's hard to hear that ... we've never been a violent community." Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:01 PM | Comment Photo: Car crashes into Woonsocket bagel shop
Posted by Jack Perry at 12:34 PM | Comment Teen wanted in mall guard slashing turns himself inA teenager whom the police say stabbed a security guard in Providence Place mall turned himself in this morning. Providence Police Capt. Hugh Clements said 19-year-old Anthony Osorio came to the police station this morning at about 8 a.m. Clements said the police had been working the case since the incident on April 20 when, they say, four shoplifting suspects were approached by security guards. According to the police account, Osorio slashed one of the guards in the neck with a folding knife. Clements said Osorio turned himself in as a result of cooperation from his family. Osorio is scheduled for arraignment on two charges of felony assault today at 2 p.m. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:30 PM | Comment Senate finance panel to consider deficit bill tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled the hearing on the deficit-avoidance plan, known as the supplemental budget, for tomorrow afternoon. It is slated to start at rise of the Senate session, around 4:45 p.m., in Room 211 on the State House's second floor. A hearing on the bill, which was passed by the full House on Friday, was originally scheduled for today. Read The Journal story on its passage. Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:28 PM | Comment State House will move committee hearing to WarwickCapitol City is coming to Warwick. The House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare is holding a formal hearing in that city tomorrow. Testimony will be heard on the following bills: H-7713: A bill by Rep. Steven Smith, D-Providence, Johnston, to amend change the Rhode Island Certification Standards Board H-7714: A bill by Rep. Smith to give the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education the authority to require parents of “chronically disruptive students” to attend conference. H-8167, by Rep. Carol Mumford, R-Scituate, Cranston, would create an ordinance allowing Scituate Town Council to charge for animal licenses H-8187, by Rep. David Segal, D-Providence, East Providence, would prohibit any hospital, chair and/or network of hospitals from merging when the resulting entity would control or operate more than 50 percent of the hospitals beds in the state. The hearing is set for tomorrow at the Aspray Boat House, near Pawtuxet Park. It’s should begin between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The hearing is open to the public and will be taped by Capitol TV for later broadcast. Capitol TV programming can be seen on Channel 15 by Cox Communications and Full Channel subscribers and on Channel 34 for Verizon subscribers). Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:23 AM | Comment R.I. economic development wants to expedite permitsThe Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation wants to let businesses looking for an expedited permitting process to promise more jobs and higher wages. Today, RIDEC announced in a press release that it has revamped the Certificate of Critical Economic Concern –– the process by which businesses can request expedited permits. “Adjustments to the CCEC program are an important step in realigning Rhode Island's economic development toolkit to support our strategy,” RIDEC Director Saul Kaplan said in a statement, “to build a higher wage economy that provides job opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.” The new rules will impose several requirements on projects seeking expedited permitting create at least 100 new full-time jobs that have average wages at or higher than 105 percent of the average state wage –– which, according to the Department of Labor and Training, is $37,067. RIDEC is also working with state agencies –– such as the Department of Environmental Management –– to speed up communications between them for faster responses. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:42 AM | Comment Traffic Alert: Accident on 95 NorthThe right shoulder is closed this on Route 95 after an accident just north of the city. The accident is on the southbound side of the roadway at Exit 24/Branch Avenue. To keep up with traffic this morning, see the Transportation Management Center's Web cameras. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:17 AM | Comment R.I. lawmakers likely to vote on 24-hour gambling todayPROVIDENCE -- State lawmakers are hoping to strike a deal allowing the state's two slot parlors to operate around-the-clock on weekends and holidays. The General Assembly has scheduled a vote today on identical bills allowing 24-hour gambling on weekends and holidays and setting a 3 a.m. closing time on weekdays. Lawmakers hope that more gambling will mean more revenue for a state facing a $568 million budget deficit. Critics have said the state should find other ways to balance its books. A vote on the bills was repeatedly delayed last week because Senate President Joseph Montalbano wanted more slot parlor revenue for the town of Lincoln, which he represents. A Montalbano spokesman said negotiations were ongoing last night. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment More rain today, flooding, thunderstorms possibleShowers, downpours, flooding, thunderstorms. It's all in the forecast. Keep an eye on drainage problems and ponding, especially on the roads. And look out for sideways rain, with a north wind gusting as high as 30 mph. On the bright side, temperatures are fairly mild, with a high in the high 50s. The rain should clear up tonight, with clear skies and a low temperature near 36 degrees. Winds from the northwest between 8 and 16 mph will make it a breezy night. Tomorrow, welcome back the sun, with clear skies, temperatures in the high 50s and breezy northwest winds. To keep an eye on weather around the state, see projo.com's weather page. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page features a story about parents, fearful of retaliation for two fatal shootings over the weekend, pulling their kids out of Central Falls High School. There's also a story about economists who say that Rhode Island is the only Northeast state already in recession. Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment April 28, 2008Tonight: Rapper Akon at Ryan CenterAkon comes to the University of Rhode Island tonight. The Grammy-nominated R&B singer and rapper will perform at URI's Ryan Center at 8. Rapper Flo Rida will open the show. Tickets are $27. Get them at the center box office, Ticketmaster outlets -- www.ticketmaster.com -- or by calling (401) 331-2211. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:59 PM | Comment Economists: R.I. 'picture of weakness' in NortheastPROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island stands alone as the only Northeastern state “in recession,” according to economists who reported today that the state’s economy hasn’t been this bad in nearly two decades. The Ocean State’s employment figures, its foreclosure rates, and personal income growth are worse than its neighbors and national averages. Rhode Island is one of just nine states in recession -- the next closest is Ohio -- while Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut have growing economies, according to Steve Cochrane, senior managing director for Economy.com, which is owned by Moody’s Investors Service. “Clearly, in the northeast, Rhode Island is a picture of weakness,” Cochrane said. The somber news was delivered today in a State House committee room where a dozen budget analysts will convene for the next two weeks to pour through tax receipts, economic trends and state expenditures. The bi-annual event -- dubbed the Revenue & Caseload Estimating Conference -- is more important than the empty chairs in the audience would suggest. Especially this year. The governor’s budget office has projected a $384-million deficit for the fiscal year that begins in July, based on data collected the last time the budget analysts gathered in the fall. A growing chorus of state leaders has suggested recently that the massive deficit is actually larger than $384 million. The analysts who gather in Room 35 will decide in the next two weeks exactly how much larger. -- Steve Peoples of the Journal State House Bureau The Revenue & Caseload Estimating Conference always begins with economic forecasts, because the regional economy has a direct impact on the state’s primary sources of money: income taxes, sales taxes, business taxes and lottery receipts. Cochrane, of Moody’s, was joined today by economists from the international consulting firm Global Insight. “Without a doubt, it was a very poor year for the Rhode Island economy,” Michael Lynch, of Global Insight, told the panel of budget analysts, who represented the House, Senate and the governor’s budget office. Rhode Island was the only New England state to report negative employment growth between March 2007 and March 2008, Lynch said. The state’s unemployment rate grew to 6.1 percent as Rhode Island lost 7,200 jobs in the third quarter of 2007 alone. Personal income growth in Rhode Island increased by 4.8 percent, but fell short of the national average of 6.2 percent. And Rhode Island’s foreclosure rate was among the worst in the nation, according to Lynch. Approximately 2.4 percent of all home loans were in foreclosure in the fourth quarter of last year, which was the 7th highest rate nationally. State officials expected today’s outlook to be bad. But they didn’t expect Rhode Island to be singled out as worse than its neighbors. “I am disappointed that it’s looking like we’re kind of an outlier in terms of how bad it is in Rhode Island,” state budget officer Rosemary Booth Gallogly said. “I expected that this would be a recession that hit all of New England. It looks like we’re in worse shape.” Why did Rhode Island fare so poorly, given that most of the country has been hurt by the subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent credit crunch? Cochrane cited these primary factors: Rhode Island is losing population at a rate that he likened to the exodus in Silicon Valley after the dot-com bust. People returned to Silicon Valley, he said. But there’s no evidence to suggest that Rhode Island will soon increase its pool of potential taxpayers and consumers. Rhode Island’s size is also working against it, according to Cochrane. Most larger states have several metropolitan areas; when one area struggles, another may be doing well. On average, therefore, the state may show growth. Rhode Island, however, is essentially just one metropolitan area, he said. The economists had varying estimates for how long Rhode Island’s recession may last, but agreed that a slow recovery may begin at the end of 2008 into 2009. But even those predictions were based on major assumptions, such as lower oil prices and improving confidence among consumers and the business community. State budget officer Gallogly said the good news, if there was any today, was that the economists suggested that a full recovery in state employment may require five years, compared to the 10-year recovery that followed the recession of the early 1990s. Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:40 PM | Comment Update: Fire in vacant house called suspicious / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- A fire of suspicious origin this morning heavily damaged a vacant triple-decker at 45 Reynolds Ave. in South Providence, Fire Department officials said. The electrical service to the house apparently had been disconnected, according to Deputy Assistant Chief Manny Costa, which would lead an investigator to believe the blaze was not accidental. The cause is under investigation. The fire apparently began in the front of the house on the second floor and spread to the third floor, according to Costa. Firefighters arrived at about 10 a.m. and had to quell the fire in a steady rain. A firefighter was injured when debris fell on his head, and he was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The house is near the intersection of Reynolds and Prairie Avenue. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:33 PM | Comment URI research boat towed to port after losing powerPROVIDENCE -- A research boat for the University of Rhode Island has been towed back into port after it lost power amid 6-foot swells in Narragansett Bay. The 50-foot Cap'n Bert stalled this morning just east of Point Judith. Coast Guard officials say the two-person crew lowered a quahog dredge to keep the powerless boat from drifting too fast in the swells and 30-knot winds. A Coast Guard boat towed the research vessel back to land. -- The Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:28 PM | Comment Update: Fear of retaliation spurs school's early closing
CENTRAL FALLS -- Parents poured in and out of Central Falls High School today to take their children home early following rumors there could be a retaliatory shooting prompted by the deadly shooting last night of a 16-year-old boy. The 16-year-old, who was a student at Central Falls High School, and a 19-year-old were killed in separate shootings this weekend. The Central Falls police have said the shootings may be related. At a news conference this afternoon, the police said the 16-year-old boy was found with multiple gunshot wounds at about 11:25 last night near the corner of Dexter and Darling Streets. In the high school's entrance/foyer by about 12:45 p.m., parents were picking up students early -- some parents said they had gotten phone calls from their children about a rumored possible retaliation shooting today when school was scheduled to let out. The police are working with the school district to notify parents and to emphasize a message to parents: Check on your children; know whom they're hanging out with, and be vigilant. In the other fatal shooting, 19-year-old Anthony Strobert was charged with murder yesterday after a Saturday shooting in which he and the victim, Helder Tomar, 19, of Pawtucket, are believed to have shot at each other. -- projo.com staff writers Michael P. McKinney and Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:20 PM | Comment Last day for tickets for R.I.'s Heritage Hall of Fame eventIt started with Roger Williams in 1965, and soon, a journalist, an artist, a senator, baseall player and several other other prominent Rhode Islanders will join the founder of the Ocean State in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. For the 44th year, a group of individuals who have “brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence, and contributed to the history of the state” will be inducted, according to a statement released by Patrick Conley, president of the hall's board of directors. Included in this year’s induction is the late John “Jack” White, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who became a national figure when he covered President Nixon’s tax problems for The Providence Journal. White died in 2005. Also among the inductees: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is a three-term U.S. congressman who served in the Rhode Island Senate before moving to Washington. Reed participated in a live chat on projo.com today. The transcript can be found online. Today is the last day to buy tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner event, which is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $75 from ArtTix. Call at (401)621-6123. Those interested can also buy tickets from the Heritage Hall of Fame at (401)433-0044. Click below for more inductees. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Also on the list is former Providence public safety commissioner John Partington, who died in 2006. Partington was integral in the founding of the U.S. Witness Protection Program. Artist Marjorie Joy Vogel, who died last year, will also be inducted; she’s best known for detailed pen-and-ink drawings of Rhode Island scenes, including homes, villages and skylines. Joseph DiStefano is a civic leader who has been involved in many facets of Rhode Island politics. The attorney is a former state Democratic chairman, former chairman of the State Board of Elections, and served as general counsel for the Providence & Worcester Railroad. Ernest Frerichs is the former dean of the Brown University graduate school. The educator has edited or co-edited nearly 30 books and is the president of the Dorot Foundation, which promotes archaeological research in the Middle East. Ira Magaziner was adviser to the Clinton administration, a think-tank participant and the principal designer of Rhode Island's "Greenhouse Compact." James Procaccianti is a hotel magnate with more than 50 hotels in 20 states. The real estate developer and has spearheaded the Downtown Providence building boom. David R. Stenhouse was a Major League Baseball pitcher for 14 years and the first rookie to start an All-Star game. He played baseball and basketball at the University of Rhode Island, and promotes youth sports around the state. Stenhouse is now a baseball coach at Rhode Island College and Brown University. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:13 PM | Comment Blackstone River Bikeway getting longer / Photo
The new, 1-mile segment brings the path up to 10.3 miles in each direction, from Cumberland to Woonsocket. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, bikers and a few onlookers stood in the rain to attend the dedication ceremony for the path, which boasts an elevated boardwalk to carry bikers through the Lonsdale Marsh -- giving bikers an up-close look at the habitat without disturbing it. "This environmentally sensitive feature allows the bikeway to continue on an off-road path while not disturbing the flow of water in the marsh – something that is critical during times of high river levels,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a statement. “Combined with the restoration of the Lonsdale Drive-In into a scenic meadow and wetland, these projects improve the ecology of the river while allowing everyone access.” This year also marks the debut of the Blackstone River Valley Bikeway Patrol -- volunteers who will ride the path and help riders with everything from patching flat tires to giving historical tours. “The continuing expansion of the path provides better access to historic areas along the river that otherwise might be overlooked,” Lewis said. “Each area on its own may not attract much attention, but when linked together by the bikeway, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.” Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:30 PM | Comment R.I. education official finalist for top college job in Penn.HARRISBURG, Pa. -- An education official in Rhode Island is among three finalists to become the new chancellor of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities. Jack Warner is the commissioner of Rhode Island's Board of Governors for Higher Education. The other candidates are University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells and University of West Florida President John Cavanaugh. A spokesman for the State System of Higher Education in Pennsylvania says the candidates will be interviewed on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was not certain when a final decision will be made. Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:19 PM | Comment Chat: Sen. Jack Reed on projo.com / Transcript
In answer to one of the questions, the Rhode Island Democrat acknowledged that he has not yet decided whom he will vote for as a superdelegate to the presidential campaign. "I have not made a decision with respect to the candidacies of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama," he said. "I am confident that both are eminently qualified to serve. I recognize that we should determine a nomination in the next several weeks in order to prepare for the fall campaign." See more of what the Rhode Island Democratic senator had to say, in a transcript of the chat, hosted by Journal staff writer G. Wayne Miller. As with all chats on projo.com, Reed was given the option of choosing the questions to answer. Answers were also be limited by the amount of time available. The Rhode Island Democrat is the subject of a Journal profile by Miller and multimedia report, called "A Humble Path to Power." Click here to visit. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:18 PM | Comment Money announced for Newport yacht school expansionNEWPORT -- The International Yacht Restoration School will use $500,000 in federal money to help renovate the 1831 Aquidneck Mill building to expand school offerings and help draw businesses to that area of the city. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The money will also "help revitalize the waterfront area on Lower Thames Street: to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, according to U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse in a news release. The senators secured $500,000 in the 2008 appropriations spending bill to expand the school’s buildings for marine vocational training and help "provide sustainable careers" for more residents. When restored, the 30,000-square-foot mill will accommodate demand for the school's programs. It will house a library open to students and the public and lease space for organizations and businesses. Several firms-including yacht design firm Sparkman & Stephens, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, Confident Captain, Legacy Yachts, and The Museum of Yachting-plan to occupy space in the mill, adding a concentration of maritime businesses in the neighborhood. The mill will be added to the school's 2.5-acre campus, which is open year-round to the public. “For years, people and businesses have flocked to Rhode Island for our marine trades industry, which is central to our economy and particularly Newport’s waterfront community,” Whitehouse said in the statement. "This funding is a smart investment in our state’s future, and in the men and women whose skilled work is known around the world.” Reed stated that the money "will enable the school to expand their reach and help more Rhode Islanders get sustainable, high-paying jobs." -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:47 PM | Comment Two $200,000 lottery tickets are sold in Rhode IslandTwo $200,000-winning Powerball tickets were sold for Saturday night's $143.2 million drawing. Each ticket matched the first five numbers but not the PowerBall number, a Rhode Island Lottery news release today says. One ticket was bought from Stop & Shop at 3 Stilson Road, Richmond. The other was sold at Parkway Convenience & Deli at 1154 Narragansett Parkway, Warwick. Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:01 PM | Comment Little Compton landmark gets national recognition
Craig Pishotti and Zachary Miller, Little Compton residents who own the building, applied for the historic designation in the fall. Pishotti and Miller are founding partners of development and management company Goosewing Hotels & Resorts, a news release from their company says. The owners' statement says "significant structural modifications" have been made to the Stone House and "luxury hotel amenities have been provided for every room." That includes repair of the outside stonework and restoration being done "in the historic technique as it was in 1854." Structural steel was installed to allow for porches and cupola that had been lost to storms over the last century. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney According to an account by the Journal last year, the owners bought the property for $5.4 million. The granite building is on 3 Sakonnet Point Road and was originally a private home built by David Sisson, whose son, Col. Henry Tillinghast Sisson, served in the Civil War and also was a Rhode Island lieutenent governor. The building was variously a boarding house, had a basement speakeasy during Prohibition and was flooded during the 1938 hurricane. It's been a hotel prior to its new ownership, with 13 guestrooms. A barn on the property is a restaurant. "We are balancing the preservation and renovation of this property with sustainable development and green building standards. This project is leading the way in establishing that these two endeavors are not mutually exclusive,” Miller said in the statement. Pishotti said Goosewing's "mission is to make every effort possible in developing hotels, restaurants, and spas in a very thoughtful and sensitive manner. Placement on the register means: * Recognition that a property is of local, state and national signifiance significance * Consideration of the building's status in the planning for federal or federally assisted projects. * Eligibility for federal tax benefits. * Qualification for federal assistance for historic preservation when money is available. Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:54 AM | Comment 7th teen charged in underage Barrington drinking partyBARRINGTON - Benjamin W. Geldmaker, the 19-year-old who admitted buying alcohol that may have played a role in the November car crash that killed Barrington teen Jonathan Converse, became the seventh person to be charged in connection with underage drinking discovered at Brickyard Pond on April 19. It's the third time in less than a year that the Barrington man has been publicly charged with underage alcohol possession. He turned 18 in January, 2007. He will be arraigned in District Court, Providence, on May 15, Chief John LaCross said today. Last Tuesday, another person at the party in the woods, 17-year-old Ryan Greenberg, was sent to the ACI after his bail was revoked for refusing to take a breath test, a condition of remaining free on personal recognizance while awaiting trial for second degree murder in the July boating death of Patrick Murphy. Five other people, four minors and 18-year-old Corey J. Place, have also been charged with underage possession of alcohol after police stumbled onto the party. On June 18, Geldmaker, of 128 Maple Ave., was ordered to pay $150 plus court costs for underage alcohol possession. Then in December, he was accused of going to Douglas Liquor in East Providence on Nov. 5 and using fake identification to buy a 30-pack of beer. He gave about six cans to a 17-year-old acquaintance, also from Barrington, who took it to an the informal party involving several local youth. Four of those teenagers got into a car later that evening and the drunk driver, Michael J. Silveira, then 16, ended up slamming into a tree, killing Jonathan Converse, also 16. Silveira is serving a two year sentence at the state Training School. Geldmaker, for his second offense, was fined $500 and order to undergo substance abuse treatment. Then on Saturday evening, April 19, a town police officer on ``party patrol'' found Geldmaker and seven others while walking the wooded area from the end of Legion Way to Brickyard Pond, according to the police. Of the seven, one was reported to have not used or possessed any alcohol and will not be charged, LaCross said. Two girls, age 15 and 16, and two boys, age 16 and 17 were charged. In all, police found over a dozen beer cans on the ground, a 30-pack with more empty cans on the ground, and over 15 full cans of beer in backpacks, along with a couple of bottles of Gatorade that apparently contained vodka. Two of the eight were asked to take a breath test; both refused. One of the two, identified in the police report as #6, ``was using his cell phone calling his parents'' as he walked out of the woods, according to the police report from Ptlm. Wesley G. McCoy Jr. ``He was yelling into the phone, `Call my lawyer, I'm going to the ACI.' '' The teens also refused to acknowledge that they owned the backpacks that contained beer. Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:23 AM | Comment Gas prices hit new high, up another 15 centsGasoline prices in Rhode Island have set another record high, jumping 15 cents in the past week, according to AAA Southern New England. This week's increase follows last week's 19-cent jump. The average prices for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is now $3.589 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. Rhode Island drivers are paying about two cents less than the national average, but 69 cents more per gallon than they were at this time last year. Diesel fuel is even higher at $4.40 per gallon.
Posted by Jack Perry at 10:36 AM | Comment New trial request postponed in smoke-shop caseThe Superior Court has put off hearing a request by defense attorneys for a new trial in the case of Narragansett tribe members arrested during a police raid on a tribal smoke shop. The motion hearing has been rescheduled for May 12. No reason was given for the postponement. The case stemmed from a July 2003 state police raid on a Narragansett Indian smoke shop that was selling cigarettes tax free. The raid on tribal land turned violent, and seven adult Narragansetts were arrested. On April 4, after a six-week trial in Providence County Superior Court, a jury found Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas guilty of assaulting a state trooper, but acquitted him of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. In addition, the jury found Tribal Councilman Hiawatha Brown of assaulting a trooper and also of disorderly conduct. He was acquitted of resisting arrest. First Councilman Randy Noka was found guilty of disorderly conduct, while being cleared of resisting arrest. The jury cleared four tribal members altogether. Extra: Our full report on the raid and trial Posted by Jack Perry at 9:45 AM | Comment S. County police come together to catch suspectsThree people were arrested and an investigation is ongoing after Charlestown police caught up with an alleged ring of thieves. Someone called Charlestown police early yesterday morning to report a person trying to steal a car from the driveway. When officers arrived, according to the report, three people ran into the surrounding woods. Officers responded from Richmond, South Kingstown, Hopkinton and Westerly’s K-9 unit to find the suspects. The officers set up a perimeter, the dogs set out on the suspects’ trails, and just before 6 a.m., police had two people in custody. Christopher Menard and David Silva, both 19-year olds from Warwick, were arrested when they came out of the woods onto Route 112, just north of Old Mill Road. About 4 hours later, Joseph Sherman, 35, also of Warwick, was also arrested. During the investigation, police say they recovered a mini-van which had been stolen in early March and tools that police believe were stolen from construction sites in Hope Valley. The three were arrested and face with various charges, including receiving stolen goods –– a felony. They are all being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:21 AM | Comment Traffic Alert: Lane blocked on Route 295An accident this morning has the right lane blocked on Route 295 near the Warwick Mall. The accident, on the northbound side of the roadway, is near Exit2/Route 2 North/Oaklawn/Warwick Mall. To keep an eye on traffic, see the Transportation Management Center's Web cameras. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:45 AM | Comment Bringing back the working waterfront in NewportA formerly derelict building on Newport’s working waterfront is getting a boost from the federal government for restoration. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse will join Keith Stokes, the executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, and Terry Nathan, president of the International Yacht Restoration School, at the school this morning. The group will announce new funds for the restoration of the 1831 Aquidneck Mill Building, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places that had fallen into disrepair. The senators say they’ve secured hundreds of thousands of dollars to expand the school’s vocational training facilities. A press conference is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. today at 449 Thames St. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:09 AM | Comment Water main break in Boston could hamper commuteBOSTON -- Motorists are being strongly urged to avoid Boston's financial district and take public transportation after a weekend water main break flooded the underground gas system. Officials said Congress State would be reduced to one lane today and that the presence of trucks and o |
