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July 7, 2008

Rev up your appetite; it's Restaurant Week again

Are you hungry?

Good.

The area's annual Restaurant Week started yesterday –– but it’s not too late to make a reservation at one of the more than 50 participating restaurants.

Whether it’s pasta Florentine at CAV, or a meatball sandwich at Fatty McGee’s, there should be something for just about everyone.

There are fixed-price menus for three-course lunches and dinners at most restaurants: $12.95 for lunch and $29.95 for dinner, not including tax, tip or beverages.

Restaurant Week runs through July 19 –– it takes at least that long to try all that food –– and is sponsored by the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Find a meal or 20 online that sound good, where you can also find the phone numbers to book reservations.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 6:45 PM | Comment

Narragansett couple rescued after boat explosion

A Narragansett couple were rescued from a boat about a mile off Point Judith Sunday by Good Samaritans who saw an explosion and came over to help, the Coast Guard said.

The explosion, shortly before noon, came from the boat’s console area, injuring Richard and Alicia Derise, said Chief Wendy MacLean, of the Coast Guard’s Woods Hole station. The couple were transported to shore aboard the Piper’s Dream with a Coast Guard escort and were taken to South County Hospital, MacLean said.

Alicia Derise, 61, was later transported to Rhode Island Hospital and was in fair condition this afternoon, a Rhode Island Hospital spokeswoman said. Richard Derise, 59, did not need to be admitted as a patient.

The state Department of Environmental Management towed the damaged boat to a warehouse facility at Quonset Point in North Kingstown and is investigating the cause of the explosion, said Gail Mastrati, a DEM spokeswoman.

-- Journal staff writer Randal Edgar

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:58 PM | Comment

Search on for man who fell overboard from sailboat

PORTSMOUTH -- Firefighters and rescue personnel are searching for a 55-year-old man who fell overboard from his sailboat late this afternoon.

The man was boating with his wife when he was struck on the head by the vessel's boom and went overboard. The man was not wearing a flotation device.

Rescuers were heading toward a spot north of Common Fence Point in Mount Hope Bay.

Portsmouth Fire Department said it has two marine units at the scene, and Tiverton and Bristol rescue crews are also responding.

-- Journal staff writer Chloe Thompson

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:55 PM | Comment

Update: Convicted murderer held after break-in arrest

A convicted murderer has been ordered held without bail after the police say he broke into a woman’s home in North Kingstown, armed with an "edged weapon," and stole her car.

Raymond E. McWilliams, 45, appeared in District Court today after police said he broke into the house of a 33-year-old North Kingstown woman on Friday.

McWilliams did not enter pleas to charges stemming from that incident because they are all felonies, which are not handled at the District Court level. But Judge William Clifton ordered him held until a July 14 hearing on a probation violation.

McWilliams was convicted of murder in 1984 for the death of Peggy M. Flynn. At the time, the police said McWilliams stabbed Flynn seven times as she was giving him a ride to work. Flynn, 20, lived in the same apartment complex. The police said McWilliams stabbed Flynn after she turned down his offer to go on a date.

On Aug. 2, 1984, Superior Court Judge Albert E. DeRobbio, following the attorney general's recommendation, sentenced McWilliams to 40 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions, suspended 15 years of the sentence and ordered 15 years probation upon his prison release.

At the time, Asst. Atty. Gen. Jeffrey Pine said McWilliams would be eligible for parole in 15 years.

The victim's family objected to the sentence. Vincent Flynn said it was unfair that McWilliams would be eligible for parole in 15 years. "My daughter will never get paroled," he said.

McWilliams was also arrested in 2002. He was extradited from Arizona on car theft charges and being a parole violator. He was sentenced to five years with 18 months to serve.

He has 11 1/2 years of his suspended sentence left on the murder conviction.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 5:40 PM | Comment

Update: Suspect arraigned in Pawtucket woman's murder

PROVIDENCE -- A suspect in the murder of Pawtucket woman was arraigned today on the murder charge as well as two prior domestic charges that allegedly involved the same victim.

Juan Diaz, 24, had waived his right to extradition after being arrested by police in Albany, N.Y., after the June 25 murder of 26-year-old Mayra Cruz in Pawtucket.

Diaz faced charges for a January incident in which he's accused of breaking into Mayra Cruz's house, striking and choking her, and ripping the telephone off the wall.

He also faced charges of violating a no-contact order following the January arrest.

About a half-dozen of Cruz's family members and friends appeared today in District Court, where Diaz was arraigned on the murder and assault charges, wearing T-shirts with pictures of Cruz and the words “Gone, but not forgotten.”

Diaz wept during his appearance to face the murder charge, but seemed composed by the time he faced a judge for violating the no-contact order.

Police were sent to Diaz's apartment on June 25 after Diaz called and said he had accidentally shot Cruz during a struggle. When the police arrived, Diaz was gone, and Cruz was dead in the apartment.

The state medical examiner’s office said she had died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Diaz is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 5:13 PM | Comment

North Kingstown woman, 19, dies in Conn. car crash

A Rhode Island woman died yesterday in a car accident in nearby eastern Connecticut.

According to a police report, Laura Tetreault, 19, of North Kingstown, was driving west along Route 2 in North Stonington, Conn., just east of Swantown Hill Road, when her car crossed the double yellow line.

The car she was driving, a 1997 Saturn, registered to Sharon Tetreault, struck a 1997 BMW head on.

The driver and passenger in that car, a 30-year-old man and woman from New York, were taken to William W. Backus Hospital with minor injuries.

Laura Tetreault was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is under investigation

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 3:35 PM | Comment

Sen. Kennedy's wife says he's handling treatment well

BOSTON -- Sen. Edward Kennedy, midway through six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments for brain cancer, is doing well aside from some fatigue, his wife says.

Vicki Kennedy said in an e-mail to friends and family that her husband has been exercising each morning before heading to Boston for treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. By afternoon, he's back at his family's compound in Hyannis Port.

The e-mail was sent last week and obtained today by The Associated Press from a Kennedy friend.

"The only side effect is fatigue, and that word has never been in Teddy's vocabulary before," Vicki Kennedy wrote. "But he's learning to cope with it. As I have mentioned to many of you, he is tackling cancer with his trademark grit and determination, and he is doing everything he needs to do to regain his strength and health."

The Massachusetts Democrat had a seizure at his Cape Cod home on May 17 and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He underwent surgery at Duke University Medical Center on June 2 and has been treated since in Boston.

After his morning treatments in Boston, Kennedy frequently goes sailing on his schooner "Mya," his wife said.

-- The Associated Press

"I have drawn the line at sailing in thunderstorms, but other than that, he's out on the water just about every day. He's making calls, staying in touch with his office staff and colleagues and still pushing all the issues he cares about," Vicki Kennedy wrote.

One goal is a rejuvenated push for a federal universal health care bill whenever he is able to return to the Senate. Health care and pension issues have been among Kennedy's priorities since he was elected in 1962.

The treatments have interfered with one tradition: Last week, the couple could not make their annual weeklong sailing trip to Sag Harbor, N.Y., for their wedding anniversary. Their 16th anniversary was Thursday.

Instead, the Kennedys took a day trip off the coast of Hyannis Port on Nantucket Sound.

Vicki Kennedy says her husband describes his cancer "as a bear." But she recalled his reputation as a political fighter.

"My guy's a lion," she wrote. "I'm betting on the lion."

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:02 PM | Comment

2 victims in Middletown plane crash ID's as Newporters

A Newport innkeeper and a flight instructor were identified today as the two people who died in the fiery crash of a small plane in Middletown last week.

Pamela Ulich Lancaster, 43, of 33 Russell Ave., Newport, and Charles Thompson, 63, of 4 Gladding Court, Newport, died in the crash Thursday evening, according to state police Maj. Steven O’Donnell.

They were identified by their dental records, he said.

Pamela Ulich Lancaster's husband, Keith Ulich, is the sole survivor of the crash. He was listed in critical condition as of Sunday.

Ulich Lancaster grew up in England. But she loved to move around. “She was like a bug that went from flower to flower,” said her sister, Angela Pray, of Westchester, N.Y.

Ulich Lancaster lived for some time in New York City and Long Island, where she married Keith Ulich, Pray said. After a trip to Newport, the couple decided to move there, even though Keith Ulich continued to work during the week in New York.

“She came here for a visit and liked it and wanted to stay here. She got a job at a bed and breakfast,” her sister said.

She enjoyed the work so much that about three years ago, she became the owner of the Dragonfly Inn, a two-room bed and breakfast on Russell Avenue, in the city’s North End.

Pray described her sister as “very spiritual, very religious.”

“She sang at church every Sunday,” she said, unsure exactly which church it was she attended.

She also liked to sing on stage in area theatrical performances. “She was a soprano,” Pray said. “She sang her whole life.”

Her talents were well appreciated. The Preservation Society of Newport County had invited her to perform on New Year’s Eve at The Breakers mansion. And the Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant offered her roles in numerous productions over the past year.

“She had an angelic voice,” said general manager Jonathan Perry. “She is a trained operatic singer. She brought the house down.”

Thompson was a flight instructor and commercial pilot for 34 years, according to his obituary. He also worked in human services for 20 years, most recently for Bridges Inc. of Jamestown.

"He loved flying and the outdoors, and his generosity and infectious charm will be missed by all who knew him," his obituary says.

Thompson was a Vietnam War veteran and a 1971 graduate of Brown University.

He is survived by his wife, Madeleine Carson of Newport, and a daughter, Nina Thompson of Newport, according to his obituary.

Services for Ulich Lancaster will be held tomorrow, according to the obituary posted on Memorial Funeral Home's Web site. A memorial service will be held Sunday for Thompson at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, his obituary said.

The two died after the single-engine plane crashed about 700 feet from the runway. The four-seat Piper lost power shortly after taking off from Newport State Airport at about 7:30 p.m.

The plane is registered to Charles Hallal, of Westport, Mass., but he was not in it at the time of the crash. The crash is under investigation.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson and East Bay bureau staff reports

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 1:23 PM | Comment

RIPTA gets $1.34M from feds for technology upgrades

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is receiving more than $1 million for a technology upgrade.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Al Moscola, RIPTA’s general manager, today announced the $1.34 million in federal funds to expand the "Intelligent Transportation System" project, which will outfit buses with global positioning systems, upgrade certain systems to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improve data collection and improve departure and arrival information for customers

“I am pleased to have secured this additional $1.34 million to help RIPTA make smart technology upgrades,” Reed said in a statement today. “RIPTA faces many challenges during these tough times, but its staff is working hard to provide quality service. This funding will help make RIPTA more efficient and user-friendly.”

The announcement of the new funding, however, did not address the planned service reductions and cuts that will affect more than 160 bus lines implemented to save nearly $10 million per year.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 1:12 PM | Comment

Gas prices up a penny -- to $4.10 a gallon

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have risen for the first time in three week, but they've increased by just a penny, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $4.109 at the self-service pump, AAA says.

A year ago at this time the average price of regular, unleaded gasoline in Rhode Island was $2.939, according to AAA.

Diesel is up two cents this week to $4.93.

Search gas prices near you.

Here's AAA's Fuel Saving Tip of the Week: Fuel is part of the total cost of vehicle ownership, so fuel conservation should be an important factor when choosing a new vehicle. Consider whether the car, truck or sport utility vehicle under consideration is bigger and heavier than necessary. Compare the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy ratings on the vehicles you’re considering.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:28 AM | Comment

North Kingstown looking for missing man, 54

North Kingstown police are looking for Joseph “Mike” Morrissey, who has been missing since June 10.

Morrissey is 54, between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-2 and weighs between 140 and 150 pounds. He was last seen in North Kingstown.

Police say Morrissey left his personal belongings with family, as well as a note asking family to dispose of things they did not want.

Police are asking anyone who sees Morrissey to call Det. Jeffrey St. Onge at 401-294-3316 x8213.

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 11:22 AM | Comment

Update: Assault at ACI leaves inmate in critical condition

CRANSTON -- An inmate at the Adult Correctional Institutions remains in critical condition this morning after he was allegedly assaulted Friday by a fellow inmate.

According to state police Maj. Steven O’Donnell, George Ortiz, 34, is accused of assaulting Robert Bainter, 20.

O'Donnell said the two got into an argument, and then Ortiz hit Bainter in the head three times. Bainter then fell, striking his head and suffering severe head trauma, O’Donnell said.

Bainter was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition this morning, according to a state police press release today.

Ortiz, whose most recent address is in Central Falls, is serving six months for domestic assault, according to Department of Corrections spokeswoman Tracey Poole. He is due for release Aug. 13.

Bainter, whose most recent address is in Coventry, is serving four years for robbery, Poole said. He is scheduled for release in October 2010.

Ortiz is now being held in high security, pending a prison disciplinary hearing, Poole said. He’s scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. today on charges of felony assault at 3rd District Court, Warwick.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson at 10:58 AM | Comment

Cape man accused of beating Yankees fan

FALMOUTH, Mass. -- A Cape Cod man faces charges for allegedly beating another man with a baseball bat because he thought he was a New York Yankees fan.

Authorities say 20-year-old Robert Correia is scheduled to be arraigned today in Falmouth District Court on charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and malicious destruction to a motor vehicle.

Police say Saturday night's alleged incident occurred when Correia and others spotted a car with New York license plates leaving Falmouth's fireworks display.

The group accused the man, whose children were in the car, of being a Yankees fan, then beat him and vandalized his car. The man, whose name was not released, was treated at Falmouth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries to his head and body.

The incident is under investigation and others may be charged.

-- The Associated Press with information from: Cape Cod Times, http://www.capecodonline.com

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:25 AM | Comment

Today in history: Booth's conspirators hanged

On this day in 1865, four people were hanged in Washington, D.C., after being convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.

Read more about today in history.

Watch a video report about today in history.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Hazy, hot and humid

Widspread haze will envelop the Providence area from 8 a.m. until noon today, and the high temperature will reach 84 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Humidity has already hit 84 percent.

A Bermuda High is expected to bring warm and humid conditions to New England through the middle of the week, also bringing the potential for afternoon and early evening thunder showers, the weather service says.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page: High fuel costs and bus service

Today's front page features a story about the impact of high fuel costs on RIPTA.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment