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June 6, 2008

There are 67 high school commencements this weekend

It's high season once again for high school graduations.

Between today and the end of the weekend, 67 of the area's 88 high schools will grant diplomas to some 11,000 students.

Not sure where or when your soon-to-be grad will be walking?

Check the schedule.

On Sunday, we'll have a story on the Class of 2008 valedictorians. For a sneak peak, here's a short video.

And for more on high school graduations, keep checking projo.com

Posted by maria caporizzo at 5:23 PM | Comment

3 Red Sox players suspended for their roles in fight

BOSTON -- Coco Crisp was suspended for seven games, Jon Lester for five games and Sean Casey for three games for their roles in Thursday night's on-field fight between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

The Red Sox were informed of the penalties earlier this hour.

For more details, see projo.com's Red Sox page.

-- Sean McAdam, Journal sports writer

Posted by Art Martone at 5:18 PM | Comment

Weather update: Air: Hot and muggy; water, still cool

Tonight's looking foggy, with partly cloudy skies, temperatures staying pretty close to daytime temps, dipping to about 61 degrees, and mild southwest winds.

But if you like summer, you'll like what comes next.

Saturday we should have mostly sunny skies, southwest winds and temperatures shooting past the 70s and 80s and reaching 91 degrees.

Saturday night will stay mostly clear, with temperatures falling to a balmy 71 degrees and calm west winds.

And then! Sunday and Monday look like mid-summer, with temperatures hitting the mid-90s and clear, sunny skies.

But the sunny, hot days can be deceiving. They're also humid.

"Popup thunderstorms" are possible any time during the next few days.

Coastal waters remain chilly, drawing a caution from the Coast Guard.

As the temperature climbs, air quality will dip. Saturday and Sunday have been declared the state's first two ozone-alert days of the season.

State beaches are open. For more on area beaches, see our beach map.

One local beach is already closed, however -- Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown. Keep up with closures via the state Department of Environmental Management's Beach Monitoring Web page.

Find more warm-weather links, and see just how high the mercury climbs this weekend, at projo.com's weather page.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:16 PM | Comment

Motions for new smoke-shop raid trial postponed

Arguments for motions for a new trial for the three Narragansett Indians convicted of misdemeanor charges related to the state police smoke-shop raid have been postponed to June 17, according to a judiciary spokesman.

They were scheduled for Wednesday next week in Providence County Superior Court.

Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas was found guilty of assaulting a state trooper during a six-week trial. Two other tribal members were also convicted of misdemeanor crimes, while four Narragansetts were acquitted.

State police used a search warrant on the roadside shop on tribal land in Charlestown July 14, 2003, to stop the Narragansetts from selling cigarettes without charging state taxes.

Things turned confrontational and eight Narragansetts were arrested. Charges against a juvenile were dismissed in Family Court. The seven other tribal members were tried earlier this year

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:14 PM | Comment

Scituate driver, 17, injured today in Johnston car crash

JOHNSTON -- A 17-year-old Scituate boy was injured earlier this afternoon when he lost control of a vehicle that smashed through a telephone pole and a fire hydrant before it rolled over and came to rest, the police said.

The boy was seen driving at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic as he headed west on Hartford Avenue just before 1 p.m., according to Johnston Deputy Police Chief Gary Maddocks. Firefighters removed the teen from the vehicle. He was conscious but suffering from cuts and bruises, and took him to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

The driver did not appear to be wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, Maddocks said. An investigation continues.

Traffic on Hartford Avenue was backed up several miles in east and west as crews cleared the debris and dealt with downed power lines.

-- Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:10 PM | Comment

Carcieri names 27 to advisory panel on immigration order

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri today announced 27 members of an advisory panel to monitor how his executive order cracking down on illegal immigration is carried out.

The order generated controversy and questionsafter it was announced in April.

The group includes members from religious communities, community agencies, government, law enforcement and business.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

From the religious community are: Bishop Thomas Tobin, head of the Diocese of Providence; Rabbi Alan Flam of the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis; Rev. Donald Anderson of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; Rev. Eliseo Nogueras of the Hispanic Ministerial Alliance; Rev. Jeff Williams of Cathedral of Life Christian Assembly; Rev. William L. Shaw of the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island, and Rev. James T. Ruggieri of St. Patrick Church of Providence.

Representing community agencies are: Adeola Oredola of Youth In Action, Pheamo Witcher of Genesis Center, Toby Ayers of Rhode Island for Community and Justice, Bruno Sukys of International Institute -Feinstein Center, and Merrill R. Thomas of Providence Community Health Centers.

From government are: Patricia Martinez of the state Department of Children Youth and Families, Vanessa Cooley of the state Department of Education, Carrie Bridges of the State Department of Health, Elvys Ruiz of the state Department of Human Services, Yvon Chancy of the Governor’s Office of Community Relations, retired Rear Admiral Joseph Strausser -- who will serve as the advisory panel chairman -- and Deborah A. Smith of the Governor’s Office of External Affairs, who will serve as panel vice-chairwoman.

From law enforcement are Major Stephen O’Donnell of the State Police, Col. Stephen McCartney of the Rhode Island Association of Police Chiefs, Magdalena Picot of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, and Cpl. Wilfred K. Hill of the State Police.

Representing the business community are John Gregory of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Keith Stokes of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, Elissa O’Brien of the Human Resources Management Association of RI, and John Gregory of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

“Last month, I indicated that I would form an advisory panel to monitor any unintended consequences that the implementation of my executive order might have for immigrants and others who are in Rhode Island legally,” Carcieri said in a statement. “I’m pleased that so many people, representing so many different backgrounds, have agreed to participate. I’m confident that they will work together to ensure that my executive order only affects those who are in Rhode Island illegally, as was always intended.”

Read the executive order itself.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:59 PM | Comment

Photo: Flagging a celebration of Portuguese heritage

Journal photo / Bob Thayer
A flag-raising ceremony honoring the state's Portuguese residents was held at City Hall in Pawtucket today, as about 100 looked on. It was the kickoff to the Day of Portugal Festival tomorrow, which will include ceremonies at the State House at noon, and a parade that steps off at 1 p.m. from the front (of the State House and proceeds from Smith to Kennedy Plaza, where Portuguese music, dance, arts, crafts, foods and more will be offered.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:41 PM | Comment

Hot weather also bringing season's first ozone alerts

It’s only 60 degrees outside, but authorities are already worried about the potential health risks that we’ll be dealing with this weekend when the temperature shoots past the 70s, past the 80s, and settles in the mid-90s for a few days.

The state’s Department of Environmental Management has issued its first air quality alerts of the year for this Saturday and Sunday.

The same hot and humid air mass that will likely drive people to the beaches this weekend also leads to overall poor air quality and the potential for health hazards.

The biggest problem is ozone, which forms near the surface when pollutants –– such as car exhaust and industrial emissions –– react with sunlight and sufficient heat. Ozone can cause a host of respiratory symptoms, including throat irritation, shortness of breath and chest pains.

And the National Weather Service reminds us to be on the lookout for heat stroke, often associated with high temperatures and humidity.

So limit exposure; don’t do any strenuous work outdoors midday, and pay particular attention to children, elderly and people with lung diseases, who are at the most risk.

RIPTA bus and trolley routes are free whenever there’s an alert. Check for updates at the DEM's air quality forecast Web site.

Click below for more tips on how to stay healthy during the extreme heat, and get the latest weather at projo.com/weather.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Limit driving. Avoid unnecessary car trips. Carpool, walk or ride the bus or a bicycle whenever possible.

Minimize starts and avoid unnecessary acceleration. Vehicle emissions are highest during starting and acceleration.

Reduce idling. Avoid congested traffic and lines at drive-through windows.

Drive your lowest emission vehicle. Use the most fuel-efficient, usually the newest, car you have whenever possible.

Refuel at stations, which have vapor recovery. Fill your tank at a station which is equipped with a Stage II vapor recovery system. Don't top off.

Maintain your vehicle. Get a tune-up at the beginning of each summer.

Minimize lawn mower emissions. Tune-up your lawn mower and use electric or hand powered equipment if possible.

Limit use of solvent-based household products. Use water-based or low solvent paints, varnishes, cleaners, and personal care products.

Limit barbecue emissions. Use an electric starter instead of lighter fluid to start charcoal fires, or use an electric, natural gas, or propane grill.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 3:14 PM | Comment

Update: Mother-in-law testifies in Entwistle murder trial

WOBURN, Mass. — Neil Entwistle’s mother-in-law is the first witness in the trial of the British man, who is accused of fatally shooting his wife and baby.

Priscilla Matterazzo testified today that his daughter and son-in-law appeared to have a loving relationship. She described being shocked and upset when police told her that her daughter and granddaughter had been fatally shot.

Entwistle is charged with the 2006 murders of his 27-year-old wife, Rachel, and 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose, in their Hopkinton home.

Earlier today, Assistant District Attorney Michael Fabbri said in his opening statement that Entwistle visited Web sites to look for sex and to sites about killing and suicide before the deaths.

Entwistle’s attorney repeatedly told the jury that Entwistle loved his family.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 3:03 PM | Comment

Farm fresh in Providence without the farm

Journal file photo
Gil Barden of North Smithfield's Barden Family Orchard & Farm sorts freshly picked Gala apples last September. The orchard is one of about 20 sellers listed as participating at the Hope High School Farmers' Market.

It’s time for fresh vegetables, local oysters, farmstead cheeses and ugly tomatoes that taste divine.

There’s even catnip!

Tomorrow is the official start of Providence’s Hope High School Farmers’ Market, bringing local farmers and artisans together at one of the most happening farmers’ markets in the city with more than 15 regular sellers.

Cash is always welcome, but shoppers can also pay with Food Stamps/EBT, WIC, Seniors’ Coupons, credit cards and Fresh Bucks –– helping ensure that nearly everyone can bring a taste of Rhode Island to their table.

The Farmers’ Market is located in the turnaround of Hope Street High School, at 324 Hope Street and runs through Nov. 29.

Visit Farm Fresh Rhode Island for a full list of vendors and available foods, including beets, squash, melons, pork, eggs, milk, cheeses, honey, rosemary, sweet potatoes, tat soi ...

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 2:37 PM | Comment

New Family Court judge sworn in / Photo

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Debra E. DiSegna smiles after being sworn in as the newest Family Court judge by Governor Carcieri this afternoon at the State House. DiSegna, who has been a Family Court magistrate since 1989, replaces Family Court Associate Judge Pamela M. Macktaz. She was one of three new judges confirmed by the state Senate in May.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:36 PM | Comment

Update: Mayor Cicilline's brother admits to shake-down

Lawyers John M. Cicilline, the brother of Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, and Joseph A. Bevilacqua Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston this morning along with former legal assistant Lisa Torres to charges involving a $150,000 scheme to shake down drug dealers to manipulate the criminal-justice system.

The change of plea hearing began at 10:30 a.m. today before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.

The plea comes just before Cicilline, Bevilacqua, Torres and another ex-legal assistant, Juan A. Giraldo, were to go on trial Monday. Giraldo has been serving a federal prison term in Ohio on other drug charges.

Cicilline, one of Providence's most prominent criminal-defense lawyers, faces 18 months in prison and the loss of his law license as a result of his agreement to plead guilty to charges that he shook down drug-dealer clients for $150,000 to manipulate the criminal-justice system.

As his family watched, including Mayor Cicilline, John Cicilline agreed to change his plea before Judge Gorton.

Cicilline also agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution and a $4,000 fine.

Co-defendant and former law partner Bevilacqua, son of the late chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, agreed to serve 21 months. And Torres, their former legal assistant, agreed to 18 months.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 11.

The fourth co-defendant, Giraldo, also is expected to plead.

The four were indicted early last year on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal authorities.

Cicilline pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to federal authorities.

Bevilacqua pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and Torres pleaded guilty to three counts –– one each of conspiracy, obstruction and making false statements.

Mayor Cicilline issued a statement today, saying: “Right now my focus is on family. This is a very difficult time for my family, especially my three nieces and my parents, and I need to be there for them.”

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

The indictment charged that the lawyers conspired with legal assistants Giraldo and Torres to provide the authorities with information about other drug dealers, which would then be used to bargain for more lenient sentences for their clients.

In return, the indictment said, a husband and wife whom Cicilline and Bevilacqua defended in a federal drug and money-laundering case in Boston, John and Jacqueline Mendonca, allegedly paid them $115,000 between late 2002 and early 2004. The indictment says that the remaining $35,000 sought was never paid.

The couple secretly tape recorded conversations about the alleged scheme while in jail at the Plymouth (Mass.) County House of Correction.

At the time of the indictment, Bevilacqua was less than two weeks from completing an 18-month federal prison sentence for leaking a confidential FBI videotape to a Rhode Island television reporter. That conviction led to Bevilacqua’s disbarment from practicing law.

Cicilline appeared in U.S. District Court on Jan. 5, 2007, to formally face the charges. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond and his travel was limited to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In February, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston moved to revoke or amend the terms of Cicilline’s release saying he violated the terms of his bail in the summer of 2007 when he traveled to New Hampshire to defend an accused drug dealer.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:11 PM | Comment

Forum on Providence waterfront to begin Monday

Can Providence do more with its waterfront? Many people would say yes.

In an opinion piece in today’s Journal, Mayor David N. Cicilline shared some of his ideas for a mixed-use neighborhood on the waterfront along Allens Avenue.

Beginning Monday, residents will have the chance to add their opinions at the first of a series of forums titled “Providence Tomorrow.”

The forums will begin Monday morning with presentations on regulations, the environment, and the current practices at the port.

Tuesday will bring presentations by city planners from Portland, Maine, and Baltimore. They’ll discuss ways to revive commercial waterfront land for mixed uses. And there will be small group discussions, which will continue Wednesday.

Thursday night, Cicilline and the City Council will do a final presentation –– the results of which will help guide the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Cicilline said in a statement.

For more information, call the city’s Department of Planning and Development: (401) 351.4300 or download a .PDF copy of the full schedule.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 1:10 PM | Comment

Prosecutor uses Entwistle's words to depict him as killer

WOBURN, Mass. -- A prosecutor used Neil Entwistle's own words today to depict him as a cold-blooded killer who shot his wife and baby daughter to death as they lay in bed together, then fled to England.

In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Michael Fabbri quoted comments Entwistle made to the police after the bodies of his 27-year-old wife, Rachel, and 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose, were found in their Hopkinton home on Jan. 22, 2006.

Entwistle told the police he discovered his wife and daughter dead two days earlier after doing errands. He said he covered the bodies and left for his native England -- all without ever calling for police or telling his wife's parents, people Entwistle told authorities were as close to him as his own mother and father, Fabbri said.

"I didn't even call 911 or call for help," Fabbri quoted Entwistle as telling the police.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Elliot Weinstein said his client's actions after the killings were those of a grief-stricken husband and father. He told the jury repeatedly that Entwistle loved his wife and daughter.

"Everything he said and everything he did thereafter, he did because he loved them, he did because he loved them both," Weinstein said.

Opening statements began this morning after attorneys spent four days seating a jury of eight men and eight women, including four alternates. Entwistle has pleaded not guilty.

-- The Associated Press

Entwistle's mother, father and brother were in the courtroom today, as well as Rachel Entwistle's stepfather and about a dozen other friends and relatives.

Fabbri said that by outward appearances, the Entwistles seemed "nothing but loving and stable," but there was another side to Neil Entwistle.

In the months before the killings, Entwistle visited Web sites to look for sex and e-mailed women to discuss setting up discreet relationships, Fabbri said. He also visited sites about killing and suicide in the days before his wife and daughter's deaths.

Weinstein told the jury both Rachel and Neil Entwistle were computer savvy, and said he would present evidence that other people used the computer as well.

Fabbri also said the jury would see evidence that showed Entwistle's DNA was found on an ammunition container, a gun lock and the grip of the handgun used to kill Entwistle's wife and daughter. He said Rachel Entwistle's DNA was found in and on the muzzle of the gun.

Entwistle and Rachel Souza met in 1999 at Britain's University of York, where she was spending a year abroad. They married in 2003 and lived in England for two years before moving to Carver, Mass., a small town about 40 miles south of Boston, in the summer of 2005 to live with her mother and stepfather.

They began renting a $2,700-per-month house in Hopkinton 10 days before Rachel and Lillian Rose were killed.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:06 PM | Comment

It may feel like summer, but the ocean is still cold

It’s going to be hot this weekend –– height-of-summer-hot –– with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-90s.

But it’s not the height of summer, and ocean waters betray that fact –– they’re still in the 50-degree range.

The Coast Guard wants beachgoers, boaters and sun seekers to keep that in mind when they head to the beach this weekend.

“I wish I could say it in gentler terms,” Al Johnson, Recreational Boating Specialist for the First Coast Guard District said in a statement. “But plain and simple, cold water shocks, incapacitates and kills, and our waters show no mercy to the innocent, unsuspecting or unprepared boater or paddler."

"Wearing a life jacket isn’t guaranteed to save your life,” he added, “but it does guarantee a better chance of surviving.”

In addition to life jackets, the Coast Guard recommends in a news release that boaters and paddlers get Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons vessel safety checks.

For a list of additional suggestions for staying safe as spring comes to an end, click below.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

• Leave a float plan with a responsible individual who knows your intentions, location, and who to call if you fail to return as scheduled.

• Assess the risk -- be realistic about what can go wrong and be fully equipped and prepared to survive.

• Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and set the example for your passengers or paddling partners.

• Be aware of and prepared for the shock of sudden immersion and the incapacitating effects of cold water.

• Maintain situational awareness on the water -- be aware of boat traffic and activity around your vessel.

• Boat sane, safe and sober -- save the alcohol for when you've safely returned.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 12:06 PM | Comment

Community painting effort aimed at graffiti in Elmwood

Fight paint with paint next week at a program aimed at cleaning graffiti from buildings in Providence's Elmwood neighborhood.

The Elmwood Foundation, the Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services and the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation are working together for NeighborWorks Paints to bring volunteers to the neighborhood.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Met School on Peace Street Monday at 10 a.m. They’ll paint over graffiti on a building at 804 Broad Street, and on another across from the Met School.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

“NeighborWorks Paints! will be an incredible celebration of neighbors helping neighbors make the places that they live even better,” Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America, said in a statement.

The groups are getting help from the National Council on Paint Disposition, Inc. in the form of unused, unwanted paint that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

NeighborWorks America is a national organization that works with local community groups to help people secure safe, affordable housing and rentals.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 12:01 PM | Comment

Sen. Reed endorses Obama, while praising Clinton

WASHINGTON -- With a blast at ``the failed policies of President Bush,’’ and a tribute to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s ``bond with the people of Rhode Island’’ Sen. Jack Reed pledged his support to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama today, calling him ``a leader of tremendous intellect and promise.’’

Reed thus joined the tide of uncommitted ``superdelegates’’ to this summer’s Democratic National Convention who have moved to endorse Obama, the freshman senator from Illinois, since he claimed a presidential nominating majority on Tuesday after a difficult struggle with Clinton, the former First Lady and Senate colleague from New York.

"Senator Obama began this race as a leader of tremendous intellect and promise, and now, after a long and hard-fought race, he is the Democratic nominee,’’ Reed said in a statement he issued late this morning. ``Senator Obama will have my full and unwavering support,’’ Reed said.

Reed, who has explained that he stayed on the fence in part because the Democratic campaign featured several valued Senate colleagues, said the party was blessed with ``great candidates’’ who ``showed all the passion, integrity, and diversity of this nation.’’

He singled out Clinton for praise as ``a fighter who cares deeply about the issues and the American people.’’ He added: ``She will and must be a significant part of our effort to make America’s future better.’’

Reed said Obama ``has fully earned the right to carry’’ his campaign message of ``change and hope.’’

Now, said the Rhode Island Democrat, ``it is time to come together’’ to reverse Mr. Bush’s ``misguided domestic and international policies.’’

-- John Mulligan of the Journal Washington Bureau

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:55 AM | Comment

Oversight problems revealed in DOT concrete review

PROVIDENCE -- An internal review of the Department of Transportation made public today depicts managers who didn't manage, plans that weren't followed or even distributed to the people who were supposed to follow them and inspections that were done poorly or not at all on concrete for its flagship project, the relocation of Route 195.

The review, commissioned by former Transportation Director Jerome F. Williams and made public today, by his replacement, Michael P. Lewis, is the department's attempt to get to the bottom of the concrete inspection failures that cost the state $3.1 million in federal highway aid in February.

In releasing the review, Lewis said that the vast majority of the concrete in the project was tested, that all of it proved to be strong enough to do the job and that the highway, partially open since November, is safe.

He said that he is already making organizational changes at the DOT and training employees in response to the findings. Two engineers, one who was in charge of materials testing, Mark Felag, and the other supervising the Route 195 project, James Caroselli, had already been transferred within the department. Lewis said he has no immediate plans to replace anybody else.

The review describes management failures throughout the DOT's construction hierarchy that contributed to its failure to test the concrete going into in dozens of structures -- piers, foundations and other structural elements -- that are part of its flagship project.

That failure to test and otherwise assure quality concrete, which violated industry standards and the DOT's own regulations, lead to a months-long investigation by the Federal Highway Administration and its decision in February to declare the untested concrete ineligible for the normal 80 percent federal reimbursement. That dumps $3.1 million in costs that would have been paid by the federal government onto the state.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:00 AM | Comment

Providence celebrates Portugal tomorrow

Journal file photo
Last year was the 30th anniversary celebration of the Day of Portugal. This year's festival will feature a parade, a televised soccer match and an outdoor heritage festival.

You’ll probably know by the sights, the sounds and the smells, but just in case, tomorrow, Providence celebrates Portugal.

It’s the Day of Portugal celebration, complete with a parade, crafts, food, music and a giant television screen broadcasting the Portugal-Turkey soccer match, which is set to start at 3 p.m.

The official Day of Portugal is Monday, but parties are so much better on the weekend.

To make room for the event, which includes a parade from the State House to Kennedy Plaza, five bus routes will be detoured. Click below to see Saturday’s modified schedule.

Route 50 (Douglas Avenue) & Route 55 (Admiral/Providence College)

Trips leaving downtown Providence will travel the regular route to Francis Street through to Smith, left onto Smith Street, right onto Park Street and then resume regular route.

Trips into downtown Providence will travel regular route to Douglas Avenue and Chalkstone Avenue, left onto I-95 North onramp, take the Atwells Avenue exit, left onto Atwells Avenue through to LaSalle Square, left onto Fountain Street, right onto Dorrance Street, then resume regular route.

Route 56 (Smith Street) & Route 57 (Chalkstone Avenue)

Trips leaving downtown Providence will travel the regular route to Francis and Smith Streets, left onto Smith Street, and then resume regular route.

Trips into downtown Providence will travel the regular route to Francis and Smith Streets, right onto Francis Street, and then resume regular route

Route 91 (Gold Line Trolley North)

Trips traveling to the Marriott Hotel from Kennedy Plaza will travel regular route to Smith Street through to Francis Street, left onto Smith Street, right onto Park Street, and then a right onto Orms Street to the Marriott Hotel.

For more information, call RIPTA at 401-781-9400 or visit the department's Web site.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 9:02 AM | Comment

Former Seekonk principal faces child porn charges

DEDHAM, Mass. -- A former high school principal was ordered held on $10,000 bail after pleading not guilty to having thousands of pornographic images involving children on his personal computer.

Russell Goyette was arraigned yesterday in Norfolk Superior Court on 16 counts of possession of child pornography.

Prosecutors say police started investigating the 61-year-old Goyette in March 2007 after being tipped off by a former girlfriend.

Goyette, the former principal at both Seekonk and Hull high schools, retired in 2005.

His lawyer, Bruce Watson, tells the Boston Herald he questions some of the evidence.

If Goyette makes bail, he must have no contact with children under age 16, stay off the Internet and stay in Massachusetts.

He is due back in court on July 8.

Goyette was the principal at Seekonk High School from 1992 until he was assigned to the middle school in 2001. He resigned in January 2002 to become the principal of Hull High School.

-- The Associated Press with Journal archival reports

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:22 AM | Comment

Trial begins for British man accused of killing wife, baby

WOBURN, Mass. — Opening statements are scheduled for this morning in the case of a British man charged with killing his wife and infant daughter in slayings prosecutors say were motivated by financial strain and dissatisfaction with his sex life.

A jury of eight men and eight women was seated yesterday to hear the case of Neil Entwistle, 29, who is accused of fatally shooting his 27-year-old wife, Rachel, and 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose, in their Hopkinton home in January 2006.

The panel of jurors, including four alternates, was selected after four days of questioning marked by complaints from defense attorneys that the judge had not done enough to weed out those who had heard about the case or already formed an opinion.

A total of 189 people were interviewed. Scores were dismissed after they said they could not give Entwistle the presumption of innocence.

-- The Associated Press

Judge Diane Kottmyer yesterday denied a request by Entwistle’s attorneys to allow the jury at some point during the trial to go to the Hopkinton home as well as the home of Rachel Entwistle’s mother in Carver. Kottmyer said the layout and key locations inside both homes can be shown to the jury through photographs and video.

Defense attorney Elliot Weinstein said he wanted jurors to go to the Hopkinton house to help them visualize the movement of police when they discovered the bodies in the master bedroom.

Weinstein said jurors should be allowed to go to the Carver home to see where prosecutors allege Entwistle got the .22-caliber handgun used in the killings. Prosecutors said Entwistle took the gun from his father-in-law’s gun case, used it to shoot his wife and daughter in Hopkinton, then drove 50 miles to Carver and returned the gun.

Weinstein told Kottmyer he has never had a request for a view rejected in approximately 50 murder trials.

“The resistance that I’m getting here today is unique,” he said.

Kottmyer said she was concerned that allowing the jury to see the home in Carver could be prejudicial because Rachel Entwistle’s mother and stepfather are expected to be called as prosecution witnesses in the case and are close relatives of the two victims.

“I haven’t heard anything that convinces me that a view would be helpful,” she said.

The judge said the defense could renew its request during the trial if it becomes clear that seeing the two homes would be helpful to the jury.

Prosecutors allege Entwistle, from Worksop, England, killed his wife and daughter after sinking deeply into debt and becoming dissatisfied with his sex life. A search of his computer after the killings showed he researched ways to commit murder and suicide, prosecutors have said.

Entwistle told police he discovered the bodies of his wife and daughter after he returned home from doing errands on Jan. 20, 2006.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 7:49 AM | Comment

Traffic Alert: lane closed on 95 in Warwick

From Massachusetts to Warwick, it's not a good morning for commuters.

An earlier accident still has traffic at a near standstill on Route 195 from East Providence to the Massachusetts line.

And now an accident on Route 95 has a lane closed and is snarling traffic in Warwick.

The accident is in the left lane on the northbound side of the roadway, at Exit 15/Jefferson Boulevard.

See how traffic is moving along on the Transportation Management Center's Web cameras.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 7:15 AM | Comment

Today in history: The D-Day invasion of Europe

On this day in 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, in the D-Day invasion of Europe during World War II.

Read more about D-Day, including the original AP story and audio from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and a British bomber crew, and more events from today in history.

Watch video of today in history.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Weather the storm, then it's all summer all weekend

Don't shoot the messenger. If you do, you'll miss the good news at the end.

Today: As you can probably see, we've got rain -- showers, thunderstorms, downpours and likely some local flooding. But the National Weather Service is forecasting an end to the rain by late afternoon and possibly a few hours of sunshine, bringing the temperature up to the high 60s.

Tonight's looking foggy, with partly cloudy skies, temperatures staying pretty close to daytime temperatures, dipping to about 61 degrees, and mild southwest winds.

But if you like summer, you'll like what comes next. Saturday we should have mostly sunny skies, southwest winds and a temperatures shooting past the 70s and 80s and reaching 91 degrees.

Saturday night will stay mostly clear, with temperatures falling to a balmy 71 degrees and calm west winds.

And then! Sunday and Monday look like mid-summer, with temperatures hitting the mid 90s and clear, sunny skies.

Sunday night, 71 degrees and clear.

It's not all good news, though. The National Weather Service reminds us to be on the lookout for heat stroke this weekend with the high temperatures and humidity. The two are also possible "pop up thunderstorms" at any time during the next few days.

See just how high the mercury climbs this weekend; visit projo.com's weather page.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features a story on the Blackstone Academy Charter School, which takes kids struggling in public schools with the goal of making them college material.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment

Traffic Alert: Traffic's a mess on Route 195 west

Traffic is backed up from the Massachusetts state line to East Providence this morning after an accident that's blocked a lane.

The lane closure is on the westbound side of the roadway, and has cars stopping and going all the way from the state line to Exit 6/Broadway/US 44/East Providence.

If you can't find an alternate route, at least see what you're in for on the Transportation Management Center's Web cameras.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 6:52 AM | Comment