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« October 2005 | Today | December 2005 » November 30, 2005Chafee: Bush's speech a step to restoring credibilityPROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee said President Bush's speech on Iraq was a positive first step to overcome what he called "canyon-sized cracks" in the administration's credibility, but said the president needs to offer honest and factual specifics about the war. "The American people are going to want to hear these facts to judge our success," the Rhode Island Republican said during a telephone interview about Bush's address on the war this morning at the U.S. Naval Academy. Chafee, whose late father, U.S. Sen. John H. Chafee, was at one time secretary of the Navy, is the only GOP in the state's congressional delegation. -- Associated Press reports Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:05 PM R.I. Christmas tree farmer to appear on CBS morning showJohn Leyden of Big John Leyden's Christmas Tree Farm in West Greenwich will appear on CBS's Early Show (Channels 4 and 12) tomorrow at about 8:15 a.m. to talk about -- no surprise here -- Christmas trees. Posted by Journal Staff at 04:53 PM Photo: Demolition making way for new training school
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:47 PM Academy classmates testify in Young case about trainingPROVIDENCE -- Training academy classmates of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. testified in federal court today that they were taught they did not have to jump into the middle of life-threatening situations when off duty. Rather, the police officers said that depending on the circumstances, off-duty officers could fulfill their duties by calling the police dispatcher and being a good witness. And the officers said that if they decided to take action while off duty, they were supposed to display the badge and follow all the commands of on-duty officers. The testimony came on the 14th day of a civil trial stemming from Young's death in January 2000. Young was off duty when he drew his gun to break up a melee in a restaurant parking lot. Two on-duty officers mistook him for an armed suspect and shot him.
When the trial resumes tomorrow, the jury is expected to hear from Sgt. Kenneth Vinacco, a firearms instructor. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 04:24 PM Rudolph on tap to save Christmas -- againWill Rudolph find his way back to Christmastown and save Christmas for the 42nd time since 1964? Gather the kids, make some hot chocolate, pop some popcorn and get in front of the television at 8 p.m. tonight to find out. CBS will air the classic animated TV show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, locally on Channel 12. The network's Web site calls the show the "longest running holiday special in television history." And yet the story of Rudolph, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snowmonster never seems to get old. Well, at least for some of us. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:21 PM Photo: Umbrella defense
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:35 PM Kennedy adds his criticism of Bush's speechU.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy has joined his fellow R.I. Democratic congressmen in criticizing President Bush today for failing to give the American people more detailed information during his speech this morning on Iraq. "The president once again failed to take an opportunity to level with the American people," Kennedy said in a news release. "His 'strategy for victory' appears to be more of a public relations campaign to justify why this administration wants to stay the course, elaborating on the same familiar talking points: 'We'll stand down as they stand up,' and, of course, the blind insistence that we're making progress but victory takes time." "The truth is, the administration has no real answers for the questions so many Americans are asking. Again, the president declined to offer an explanation for how we stop this insurgency that is only growing more virulent every day. He has failed to answer the troubling questions about why so few Iraqi troops are prepared to take over security and why disturbing accounts of atrocities are on the rise." Posted by Jack Perry at 03:04 PM Langevin: Still seeking specifics from Bush on Iraq strategyWARWICK - Congressman James Langevin offered the following statement today in reaction to President Bush's speech on the status of the war in Iraq: "The president's speech did little to assuage my growing concerns about the track we are on in Iraq, however, it is a comfort to hear him admit that adjustments need to made. We need to continue to accelerate the training of Iraqi Security Forces so we can ease the burden on our own troops," the Rhode Island Democrat said. "I agree with the president that fundamental conditions must be met before we can safely begin a substantial pull-out of our troops, but what was missing from the president's speech today, and what has been missing from the Administration's strategy all along, is a specific outline of how we meet those goals and conditions." Langevin noted that while debate over the U.S. future fole in Iraq was critical, it was also critically important to continue supporting the U.S. military on their mission there. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:39 PM Man who skipped sentencing now faces bail-jumping chargePROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office plans to charge a Providence man with bail jumping after he didn't show up this morning in Superior Court for sentencing on a fatal drunk driving crash, a spokesman said. Pedro Lux, 34, formerly of Glenbridge Avenue, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if he's convicted of bail jumping, said Michael Healey, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. Lux was to appear before Judge Mark A. Pfeiffer at 11 a.m. this morning for sentencing for the hit-and-run crash that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, and seriously injured three others in October 2001 in Providence. Lux had pleaded nolo, or no contest, on Oct. 5 to seven charges, including one count of driving under the influence death resulting, one count of driving to endanger death resulting, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage. Lux had been free on $40,000 bail with surety and conditions that he surrender his passport and continue living in Rhode Island, Healey said. Lux's probation officer said Lux had been living in Cranston as recently as Nov. 9, according to Healey. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:29 PM Retired Judge Campanella dies at 83PROVIDENCE - Flags at the state's courts will fly at half staff for seven days out of respect for retired Superior Court Associate Justice Americo Campanella, who died last night, according to court spokeswoman Carol Costa. Campanella, 83, served on the court from March 1986 until his retirement in March 1996, according to Costa. The court will release information on funeral arrangements later, Costa said. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:02 PM Teens whose car hit Wave statue still in serious conditionNEWPORT – Two local teens remained in serious condition in the intensive care unit of Rhode Island Hospital today after the stolen car they were in crashed during a police pursuit yesterday. The car struck the well-known Wave statue at the junction of America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street, a downtown landmark. No one else was hurt. The names of the boys, who are ages 16 and 17, have not been released. -- Journal staff writer Rich Salit Read today's Journal story for more details... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:48 PM Man fails to show for sentencing in fatal crashPROVIDENCE - A Providence man failed to show up this morning for his scheduled sentencing on charges stemming from a 2001 crash that killed a Providence woman Pedro Lux, 34, did not appear at the 11 a.m. sentencing in Superior Court. Lux, whose last known address was 166 Glenbridge Ave., was charged in a 10-count indictment following the hit-and-run accident that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, and seriously injured three others. -- With reports from Journal photographer Bob Thayer Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:05 PM Reed: Bush leaves key questions unansweredPresident Bush did not answer key questions about the country's involvement in Iraq in his speech this morning, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said. Speaking on C-SPAN after Bush's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Rhode Island Democrat said the president was more general than specific and that he neglected to answer important questions such as, "How long will America be in Iraq?" Reed, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stressed that the Americans support the troops. But he complained that Bush did not detail his plan for stabilizing Iraq, or transforming it into a democracy, or spell out what it would take to accomplish those goals. He also said the president neglected to explain how the commitment of troops in Iraq would affect U.S. security elsewhere. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:32 AM Joseph Wilson speaking at Brown tonightPROVIDENCE -- Former U.S. ambassador Joseph Wilson, whose 2003 newspaper opinion piece touched off a scandal involving justification for the Iraq war, the outing of a CIA agent, the jailing of a New York Times reporter, and the indictment of a top Bush administration official, will speak at Brown University tonight at 8 at Salomon 101. Come back for a full story on Wilson's speech tomorrow on projo.com and in The Providence Journal. Posted by at 10:44 AM DEM hearing today on car standardsPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing today on a proposal to adopt global warming standard for new cars. The hearing will start at 12:40 p.m. in Room 300 at 235 Promenade St. Posted by at 10:40 AM Providence group among buyers of TDC for $15.3BProvidence Equity Partners, a private investment firm in Providence, is among a group of takeover firms that agreed this morning to buy TDC A/S, Denmark's former phone monopoly, for $15.3 billion. The acquisition is the biggest leveraged buyout since the RJR Nabisco deal 16 years ago. Posted by at 10:38 AM FERC commissioner to meet CarcieriNora Mead Brownell, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in Washington, D.C., is in Rhode Island this afternoon to meet with Governor Carcieri to talk about energy issues. Posted by at 10:35 AM Providence man to be sentenced for fatal crashPROVIDENCE - A Providence man is scheduled for sentencing in Superior Court this morning for a crash that killed a Providence woman in October 2001. Pedro Lux, 34, whose last known address was 166 Glenbridge Ave., was charged in a 10-count indictment following the hit-and-run accident that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, and seriously injured three others. He is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Mark A. Pfeiffer at 11 a.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:33 AM Carcieri helps open international businessNORTH KINGSTOWN - Governor Carcieri will be in North Kingstown this morning for the opening of the new BBC Audiobooks America office at Quonset Point, which the governor's office describes as "one more international business which has decided to locate in the Ocean State." BBC Audiobooks America, part of BBC Worldwide, and British Broadcasting Corporation, is the source of audio books such as Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and children’s books such as Paddington Bear and The Hobbit, according to the governor's office. The business also offers language courses, history programs and British game shows. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:34 AM More heavy rain could bring floodingThe National Weather Service says more heavy rain is on its way into southern New England and will likely cause flooding in areas with poor drainage. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:13 AM Nine people face voter fraud chargesNine people are scheduled for arraignment today in Superior Court on voter fraud charges stemming from 2004 elections in East Providence. Posted by at 08:59 AM Railroad Co. president rememberedThe Providence and Worcester Railroad Company is holding an event honoring the life of president Orville R. Harrold, who died last Tuesday at age 73. Posted by at 08:55 AM November 29, 2005Photo: Iway project on its way
Jim Cotta, an ironworker from Foster, carries an aluminum beam out to a barge at Collier Point Park where piers are being constructed for the new Providence River arch bridge, part of the $550 million Route 195 relocation project. DOT Director James Capaldi says the so-called Iway project is on budget and on target for a 2012 completion. Journal photo /Gretchen Ertl Posted by Jack Perry at 04:28 PM 'Physics first' aims at encouraging science studiesPROVIDENCE - Teaching physics to students in the ninth grade will encourage more 12th graders to pursue advanced science work and will make the students and the state more competitive, Governor Carcieri said this morning in announcing a pilot teaching program. The program, Physics First Rhode Island, is based on a national model and changes the traditional high school science curriculum sequence by teaching physics in the ninth grade, then chemistry in the 10th grade and biology in the 11th. The new sequence "has greater relevance to the job market of the 21st century,” Governor Carcieri said in announcing the program at the Providence Marriott. Five high schools will take part in the pilot program starting next fall. They are Cranston West High School, East Providence High School, Lincoln High School, Mount Pleasant High School, and Woonsocket High School.
Posted by Jack Perry at 03:20 PM 'Unsubstantiated threat' sends E. Providence High students home early / Photo
EAST PROVIDENCE - Students at East Providence High School were sent home early today because of an "unsubstantiated threat of violence," according to Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline Forbes. The school's 2,000 students were dismissed at 10:45 a.m. and were taking their regular modes of transportation home, whether by bus or by walking, Forbes said. At the school at about 11:30 a.m., the students had already been sent home. About 12 police officers, in regular uniforms and plain clothes, were planning to go inside to search. East Providence Police Chief Hubert Paquette said the officers were not looking for weapons, but would search to ensure that there were no more students inside. School Superintendent Manuel F. Vinhateiro was at the school, along with Principal Edward Daft and School Committee Chairman Antone Gouveia this morning "making sure we have a safe and orderly dismissal," Forbes said. Vinhateiro said, "Overnight there was an unsubstantiated rumor about nebulous acts of violence that were going to occur." He said school officials could not uncover details about the actual act, who planned to commit it or the intended target. The rumor spread to parents, and some of them went to the school this morning to pick up their children. "We figured it was better to have a nice orderly dismissal and search building, then start school again normally tomorrow morning," Vinhateiro said. -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Andrew Dickerman. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:48 AM Police: Blood found in N. Providence home not suspiciousNORTH PROVIDENCE - A large amount of blood found in a vacant Woodward Road home yesterday is not suspicious, North Providence police said this morning. Investigators confirmed this morning that a man had injured himself in an apartment in the area of 428 Woodward Road, according to Detective Maj. Paul Marino. The injury, which was not life-threatening, occurred at least 24 hours before someone found blood in the home yesterday, he said. Detectives learned late last night that an injury sustained by a man who had been living in the apartment might explain the blood. Investigators did not confirm that account until after they located the man and met with him this morning at police headquarters, Marino added. He declined to identify the man. He said the man had cut himself, but he was unable to describe injury in detail. Police referred the man to a local hospital for treatment, Marino said. - Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds Posted by Jack Perry at 11:46 AM Weather postpones start of oyster restoration programPROVIDENCE - An effort to help restore the state's oyster population by releasing more than one million oysters into Rhode Island waters was postponed today because of weather conditions. The state Department of Environmental Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now plan to begin the release Thursday, according to Gail Mastrati, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Management. The oysters are being released as part of the North Cape shellfish restoration program, which addresses damage caused when the tank barge North Cape ran aground off Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown in 1996, spilling 828,000 gallons of heating oil into Block Island Sound and Rhode Island's coastal ponds. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:23 AM Councilman proposes Providence tax amnesty weekPROVIDENCE - Interest and penalties on deliquent accounts would be waived for Providence taxpayers who pay up during an "amnesty week" in February, a City Council member has proposed. Providence City Councilman John J. Igliozzi of Ward 7 says he has submitted legislation that would designate Feb. 6 through Feb. 10 as Tax Interest Amnesty Week in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:34 AM Son to receive Purple Heart on father's behalfCRANSTON - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed this morning will present the Purple Heart Award to Michael Floriani on behalf of his deceased father, Ceasar D. Floriani, a U.S. States Army veteran of the Korean War, who died Feb. 25, 1996. Floriani is receiving the medal posthumously for wounds he suffered while serving as a corporal in Korea with the 885th Engineer Aviation Field Maintenance Co. Rhode Island Democrat Reed is a West Point graduate who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:15 AM Carcieri to announce 'Physics First' pilot programPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri this morning is due to announce a pilot program that changes the traditional sequence of high school science programs by teaching physics to ninth grade students. The five schools participating in the "Physics First Rhode Island" pilot program are Cranston West High School, East Providence High School, Lincoln High School, Mount Pleasant High School and Woonsocket High School. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:10 AM Oysters to be restocked in R.I. coastal watersPROVIDENCE - The state Department of Environmental Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are expected to release more than one million oysters into Rhode Island's coastal waters starting today as part of the North Cape shellfish restoration program. The restoration program addresses damage caused when the tank barge North Cape ran aground off Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown in 1996, spilling 828,000 gallons of heating oil into Block Island Sound and Rhode Island's coastal ponds. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM November 28, 2005Plaintiffs rest case in Young civil suitPROVIDENCE - The plaintiffs rested their case in the Cornel Young Jr. trial today with an estimate of the police sergeant's earnings if he had continued to live. Young would have been expected to net from $1.22 million to $1.35 million over his career, after subtracting his personal expenses, Brown University economist Allan Feldman testified in U.S. District Court. Young was mistakenly shot and killed by two fellow officers in 2000, and his mother, Leisa Young, is suing the City of Providence, claiming that it violated her son's civil rights by inadequately training one of the officers who shot him. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 05:30 PM Status conference for Carpio continuedPROVIDENCE - A Superior Court judge this afternoon continued until Dec. 21 the status conference for Esteban Carpio, who is accused of killing Providence Detective Sgt. James L. Allen at police headquarters in April. The conference had been scheduled for 2 p.m. today. -- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault
Posted by Jack Perry at 05:05 PM Tree lighting tomorrow night at State HousePROVIDENCE -- Governor and Mrs. Carcieri will host the annual tree-lighting ceremony in the State House rotunda tomorrow evening. The Northern Rhode Island Children’s Chorus will sing at 5:47 p.m. The Carcieris will have brief remarks and the tree will be lit at 6:10 p.m. Santa Claus will then greet visitors in the State Room. Patrice Wood and Gene Valicenti of NBC 10 will be masters of ceremonies for the event. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:00 PM Gospel show set for PPACThe Gospel Experience with Donnie McClurkin and Martha Munizzi will perform at PPAC at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, the venue announced today. Tickets, $35 to $55, are available at www.ppacri.org or (401) 421-2787. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:27 PM Status conference for Carpio this afternoonPROVIDENCE - A status conference is scheduled in Superior Court this afternoon in the case of Esteban Carpio, who is accused of killing Providence Detective Sgt. James L. Allen at police headquarters in April. Carpio will not be in court, according to spokespeople for the court and the Adult Correctional Institutions, where Carpio is being held. The 2 p.m. session will cover routine scheduling issues, the court spokeswoman said. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:48 PM Report: R.I. deadliest state for impaired drivingRhode Island ranked as the deadliest state for impaired driving last year, according to a list released today by the National Safety Council and a physicians' safety group called End Needless Death on Our Roadways. The Ocean State received that ranking because 50.6 percent of traffic fatalities here last year were alcohol related, according to the groups' report. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:07 PM Photo: Paz arrives at bankruptcy court
Boxer Vinny Paz arrives with his girlfriend, Holly Dolly Lopes, for a court hearing this morning in Providence on his petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For background and a look at his filing, read Journal staff writer Lynn Arditi's earlier story.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:49 AM Gas prices down 4 cents, lowest since MarchPROVIDENCE - Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped yet again -- this time, by 4 cents, to an average of $2.05 per gallon, according to AAA Southern New England's weekly survey. That's the lowest price drivers have seen here since March, AAA said. About 40 percent of the stations surveyed by AAA are selling regular, unleaded gasoline for less than $2 per gallon at the self-service pump. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:45 AM Verizon wireless expands Coventry serviceVerizon Wireless has added a new cell site in Coventry. The company said this will increase coverage and capacity in Coventry center. Posted by Tim Barmann at 10:43 AM Latino Business Group to meet Chamber headPROVIDENCE - The Greater Providence Merchants Association, a Latino business group, will hold a reception tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ada's Creations in Providence to hear the plans of Laurie White, new president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Posted by at 09:00 AM Master plan for Aquidneck's west side being developedNEWPORT - Public officials will gather at the Officers' Club at Naval Station Newport at 10 a.m. today to set out a development plan for the west side of Aquidneck Island. The area includes a 10-mile swath of land on Narragansett Bay in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth. Posted by at 09:00 AM Vinny Paz back in bankruptcy courtPROVIDENCE - Vinny Paz, the former boxing champion, is scheduled to be back in federal court this morning to answer questions about his bankruptcy. Paz, 42, previously said he has more than $2 million in debts and assets that total $383,000. Posted by at 09:00 AM November 25, 2005Fire at Olneyville mill building being probedPROVIDENCE -- A fire of unexplained origin this morning destroyed some of the contents of part of a brick mill building in Olneyville being used by a plastics-manufacturing company, the Fire Department said. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith "The call came in from a passerby who observed smoke coming from the building" at about 9 a.m., Varone said. "We never received an alarm." Posted by Jack Perry at 05:02 PM Photo: Coats for the taking
Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson The crowds turned out on the lawn below the State House today for the annual Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange, where coats were donated for the needy. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:58 PM Bureau of Prisons: Potter hasn't reported yetFormer Lincoln Park executive Nigel Potter, scheduled to begin his prison sentence today, was not in prison as of late this afternoon, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman said. "He's not in a Bureau of Prisons facility right now," spokeswoman Carly Wilson said at about 4:05 p.m. Earlier today, she said that Potter was "in transit." Potter, a British citizen, and co-defendant Daniel Bucci were convicted of conspiring to bribe former House Speaker John B. Harwood, with a plan to make payments to Harwood's law partner, in order to get more slot machines at the dog track and gaming facility and block a proposed Narragansett Indian casino. Potter was supposed to begin serving his three-year sentence at 2 p.m. today at the Allenwood low-security prison in White Deer, Pa. Bucci reported to Fort Devens prison camp in Ayer, Mass., at 12:46 p.m. today to start serving his sentence of three years and five months. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:42 PM URI Dane Cook show rescheduled to Dec. 11Comedian Dane Cook's sold-out live show at the The URI Ryan Center has been moved to Sunday, Dec. 11, URI announced today. Start time will be 8 p.m., and doors will open at 7 p.m. Cook was recently asked to host "Saturday Night Live" on Dec. 3, and the rehearsal schedule conflicts with the original Ryan Center date. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:05 PM Bucci arrives at prison; Potter 'in transit'Former Lincoln Park executive Daniel Bucci has reported to a federal prison in Massachusetts today to begin his sentence, while fellow executive Nigel Potter is "in transit," a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said this afternoon. Bucci, former CEO of the dog-racing track and gaming facility in Lincoln, and Potter, former CEO of the park's former British parent company, were scheduled to begin serving sentences at 2 p.m. today for conspiring to bribe former House Speaker John B. Harwood. On Oct. 28, U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi sentenced Bucci to three years and five months in prison, and sent Potter to prison for three years. She ordered both men to report to federal prison by 2 p.m. today. Bucci reported to the Fort Devens prison camp in Ayer, Mass., at 12:46 p.m. today, the spokeswoman said. Potter is due to report to the Allenwood low-security prison in White Deer, Pa. Bucci and Potter were convicted of scheming to bribe Harwood with up to $4 million that was to be paid to his law firm, McKinnon & Harwood, to secure state approval for more video slot machines and to block a Narragansett Indian casino. The payments were to be disguised as bonuses for Harwood's law partner, Daniel V. McKinnon, who'd done legal work for the track. For more background, read today's Journal story -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 02:57 PM Lucky leaves URI basketball team -- againSOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Guard Jon Lucky, who left the University of Rhode Island basketball team last weekend but returned before the team's trip to Utah, has left the team permanently. "He's left for personal reasons," Coach Jim Baron said this afternoon. "I sat down and spoke to him, I've sat down with his father trying to work things out . . . He's just decided, for his personal reasons, to leave the team." Posted by Art at 02:31 PM Updated: 2 families displaced by N. Providence fireNORTH PROVIDENCE -- The American Red Cross of Rhode Island is helping two families, a total of nine people, who were displaced by a fire this morning in North Providence. The 7:30 a.m. fire in a duplex at 3 South Larchmont didn't injure anyone, but displaced families in two units, according to Angie Moncada, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross. The cause of the fire was still under investigation early this afternoon, fire officials said. But it apparently started inside the building, gutting its rear and second floor. The Red Cross is helping a family of five, including four children, with food, shelter and clothing, Moncada said. It's also helping a family of four, including three children, with food and clothing, she said. That family is staying with relatives. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Jack Perry at 01:45 PM Coat exchange at State House todayPROVIDENCE - People who need winter coats can pick up one up for free from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. today at the State House. Organizers of Providence's 9th annual Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange are asking people to drop by the State House lawn and donate winter coats they no longer need. Last year's coat exchange collected 1,000 coats. Coats not given away today will be donated to centers that distribute them. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:12 AM Fires reported in Providence, N. ProvidenceFirefighters in Providence and North Providence were busy this morning. Firefighters in Providence responded to a blaze at a commercial building at Oak Street and Agnes Street. In North Providence, firefighters were still at the scene of a fire at 3 South Larchmont Ave. after 10 this morning. No more details were available. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:29 AM Shopping discounts draw diehardsNORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. -- Hardy bargain hunters swarmed into big-box retailers Best Buy and Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. looking for deals on electronic gadgets. By 7 a.m., parking spaces were almost as hard to come by as an Xbox 360, with drivers pulling onto median strips or leaving their cars to clog fire lanes. Shoppers began refueling at 8 a.m. -- waiting in a 50-foot-long line for coffee at the Dunkin' Donuts in Emerald Square Mall. Posted by Dealhawk at 10:09 AM Providence eases up on parking for holidaysPROVIDENCE - The city starts its relaxed parking program today to make it easier for holiday shoppers to visit downtown stores. No tickets for overtime violations will be issued at metered parking spaces or at parking spaces with time limitations in much of downtown Providence, parts of South Main Street and North Main Street, Wayland Square and Thayer Street. The program runs between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Jan. 2. Cars parked in illegal spaces, including cross walks and tow zones, will still be ticketed. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:08 AM R.I. again makes "Fatal Fifteen" driving listFor the second straight year, Rhode Island has made the list of the 15 deadliest states for impaired driving, according to the National Safety Council and a physicians' safety advocacy group called End Needless Death on our Roadways. The full list of the group's Fatal Fifteen, states in which 41 percent or more of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related, will be announced Monday. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:21 AM November 23, 2005Wintry storm to clip region tomorrowFreezing rain could cause problems late tomorrow for travelers in some interior sections of New England, while high winds on the coast could cause ferry delays or cancellations, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service. An Alberta Clipper-type storm will bring a wintry mix to the region on Thanksgiving Day, with snow changing to rain. Up to 4 inches is possible in northwest Massachusetts and southwest New Hampshire, but accumulation is unlikely south and east of the Route 95 corridor, the weather service said in a special weather statement this afternoon. Pockets of freezing rain are possible in the late morning within interior valles of Cental and western Massachusetts and southwest New Hampshire. Winds should become stronger along the coast as the day progresses. Get the latest local weather here / Find information about plane, rail, bus, and ferry service here Posted by Jack Perry at 04:42 PM Young testifies in lawsuit over son's deathPROVIDENCE - A retired black police major whose son was accidentally shot dead by two white colleagues said he was twice misidentified by white law enforcement officers during his career. Maj. Cornel Young Sr. testified today in the civil rights lawsuit brought by his ex-wife after the death of their son, Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. The elder Young was the highest-ranking black police officer in the Providence Police Department until retiring in 2003. "Every black cop knows you have to be careful because there are a lot of shootings when black cops are not recognized," the elder Young said in an interview after his testimony. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:36 PM Weather shouldn't threaten T-Day gamesIt looks like neither rain nor snow will keep Rhode Islanders from carrying out their tradition of watching a high school football game on Thanksgiving. A check of local athletic directors today indicated they were ready to take the field tomorrow, despite a cold and damp forecast. Mother Nature would really have to do her worst before they’d cancel games, they said. The games, many featuring longtime rivalries, are considered regular season games. That means it’s up to the individual athletic directors to decide whether to call them off. | Information on cancellations should be available through the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Web site, at: http://www.riil.org, then clicking on Fan Central, then Football Schedules, then Postponements/Rescheduled Games -- Journal sportswriter John Gillooly Find more pre-game coverage in tomorrow's Journal Come back to projo.com later in the day for game results as soon as they’re received, photo slideshows for several games and to upload your own photos of the games. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:35 PM Sox ticket sale in time for stocking stuffersBOSTON -- The Red Sox will host "Christmas at Fenway" Saturday, Dec. 10, offering fans the chance to buy ticket packages as well as single-game tickets to 20 April and May games. The team says construction at Fenway Park will limit the number of fans the organization can accommodate this year, so single-game ticket sales will be handled mostly online at www.redsox.com or by calling 24-hour touch-tone ticketing at (617) 482-4SOX beginning at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10. For more information, check out the team's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:12 PM Big Blue Bug turns red todayPROVIDENCE - In fine Rhode Island holiday tradition, the 13th annual lighting of the Big Blue Bug will be at 4:30 this afternoon. The giant bug, which overlooks Route 95, has been covered with 5,000 lights and adorned with a red nose and antlers. Gabrielle M. Abbate, executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving of RI, will have the honor of lighting the bug, also known as Nibbles Woodaway. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:52 PM Cicilline picks 4 for Providence School BoardPROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced his choices to fill four openings on the Providence School Board. They are: Rosanna Castro, a family planning program coordinator for the state Health Department; Jill W. Holloway, director of outreach and admissions for the youth program Year Up; Katherine F. McKenzie, executive vice president and head of human resources for Citizens Financial Group; and Ronnie M. Young, a graduate of Classical High School and a senior at Roger Williams University. Cicilline selected them from nine finalists chosen by the School Board Nominating Commission from a field of 25 applicants. The mayor's nominations now go to the City Council for final action. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:11 PM Federal Hill to hold first Christmas StrollPROVIDENCE -- The Federal Hill Commerce Association will host the first Federal Hill Christmas Stroll, on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. along Atwells Avenue, the group announced today. The free event will feature horse and buggy rides, pictures with Santa, special treats for the children, story time with Mrs. Claus, a magic show, an avenue lighting ceremony and carolers throughout the area. Posted by Journal Staff at 02:58 PM Most sewage rerouted after pumps failed in BristolBRISTOL -- Three temporary pumps were hard at work today rerouting sewage into a wastewater treatment plant after the facility's main pumping system failed yesterday morning, pushing back millions of untreated About 95 percent of the waste, which is piped from buildings into a waiting pond, had been pumped through the system by early this afternoon, according to Matthew Calderiso, the Bristol assistant superintendent of water pollution control. Calderiso estimated that between 1 and 4 million gallons of sewage had overflowed in the area just east of Narragansett Bay near Hope and Wood Streets. Much of it was cleaned up yesterday and last night, however. Special cleanup crews were helping a handful of homeowners today with removing waste from their properties. Meanwhile, the state Health Department said this morning that water in the area was safe to drink. However, Bristol Harbor remained closed to shellfishing. It still was not known exactly why the pumps failed. But one of the permanent, stronger pumps, which had
-- With reports from Journal staff writer Michael McKinney Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:46 PM Updated: N. Kingstown teacher named state's teacher of year / photo
NORTH KINGSTOWN - Barbara Morse, a math teacher at North Kingstown Senior High School, has been named the 2006 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Governor Carcieri announced this morning. "Barbara has exhibited a strong devotion to implementing innovative teaching methods that engage each and every student. She's hard working. She's conscientious, and she challenges her students," Carcieri said of Morse, who has taught in the North Kingstown Schools for nine years. Morse, a University of Rhode Island graduate, now becomes a candidate for National Teacher of the Year, which is announced in the spring. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:50 PM Wake-up calls for shoppers this FridayRetailers are resorting to some old -- and new -- tricks to draw in shoppers Friday morning, when the holiday shopping season moves into high gear. They'll offer door-buster specials, limited-quantity sales and sweepstakes to draw shoppers. If deep discounts don't excite you, some chains will use soft touches, such as celebrity wakeup calls or free coffee to clinch sales. -- Journal business writer Paul Grimaldi Posted by Dealhawk at 01:32 PM PPAC to hold holiday saleTickets to plays, concerts and family shows at the Providence Performing Arts Center will be sold for 20 percent off during a sale, from 10 a.m. to midnight, on Dec. 10, the theater announced today. Tickets will be available at the box office, by phone at (401) 421-2787 and at www.ppacri.org. Posted by Journal Staff at 12:15 PM Slave's letter fetches top price at auctionNEW YORK -- A letter from a celebrated Colonial-era slave who lived in Providence sold for $220,000 yesterday at auction -- by far the highest price paid among 322 lots in the "Autographs" auction conducted by Swann Galleries. The letter, which Swann had estimated would sell for $120,000, represented more than one third of the auction's total sales of $618,945 -- and fetched more money than signed documents of John Hancock, John Adams and George Washington combined. The writer of the Feb. 14, 1776, letter was Phyllis Wheatley, the first person of African ancestry to publish a book inthe United States. -- Journal staff writer Bryan Rourke Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:09 PM BJ's joining early-opening clubThe early shopper gets the deal, they say. And this year, BJ's Wholesale Club has announced it is offering shoppers that option by opening early for the first time on the day after Thanksgiving. The chain's stores, which offer discounts to members and by coupon, will open at 6 a.m. BJ's has three locations in Rhode Island: Coventry, Johnston and Middletown. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:52 AM R.I. delegation's plans for holiday recessWASHINGTON -- Some New England congressmen will trek to Iraq, El Salvador and Yosemite National Park during Congress' annual Thanksgiving recess. But not Rhode Island's delegation. Sens. Lincoln Chafee and Jack Reed will stay close to home with a series of local events, aides said. Rep. Patrick Kennedy is preparing to host a D.C. seminar on avian influenza preparedness the day after House members return to Washington. Rep. James Langevin will spend part of the break in Rhode Island with family, then head to Florida for a conference. -- Associated Press and projo.com reports Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:46 AM Advocacy groups to give PUC 'turkey award'WARWICK - Advocacy groups for the elderly and children were planning to slam the state Public Utilities Commission today with a Thanksgiving-themed razz. The Gray Panthers and the Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty were scheduled to present the Turkey of the Year Award to the PUC for its "blind and unquestioning approval of sharp increases in gas and electric rates," the Gray Panthers said in a press release. The groups plan to present the "award" at noon at the commission's Warwick office. The PUC this fall approved a 17.3-percent rate increase for New England Gas, lower than the 23.8 percent increase the company had requested. The commission also approved a 12.4-percent increase for National Grid to pass on to its electricity customers. National Grid has another increase pending, for at least 14.8 percent. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:42 AM P&W Railroad president diesWORCESTER, Mass. - Orville R. Harrold, president of the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. for the past 25 years, died suddenly at his home yesterday, the company said. He was 73. Harrold spent more than 30 years with Providence and Worcester, leading the railroad through a period of growth. It now operates over more than 500 miles of track in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. The railroad was founded in 1847. After graduating in 1954 from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, Harrold went to work for the Westinghouse Air Brake Co. After serving in the U.S. Marines from 1956 to 1960, Harrold worked 13 years for the Pennsylvania Railroad, later known as the Penn Central Railroad. He joined the Providence and Worcester in 1973. After serving as general manager and a director, he became president in 1980. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:06 AM Sovereign-Santander deal wins NYSE approvalBrushing off the protests of some big institutional investors, the New York Stock Exchange has given its approval to a modified version of Sovereign Bancorp's proposed sale of a minority stake to Spain's largest bank. Sovereign announced last night the NYSE staff advised it there is no need for the deal with Banco Santander Central Hispano SA to be put before shareholders for a vote as demanded by several big pension funds and Sovereign's three biggest investors. Relational Investors LLC, leader of the shareholder revolt at Sovereign, called the decision a "sad day for the American capital markets" and said it may appeal to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Posted by at 11:03 AM Health Dept.: Bristol water OK to drink in wake of sewage spillBRISTOL - In the wake of a major sewage spill yesterday, state public health officials confirmed that the drinking water supplied by the Bristol County Water Authority is safe and healthy to drink. The Health Department said rumors regarding possible contamination of public drinking water and a boil water advisory or drinking water ban in the area are untrue. If any residents of the affected area use drinking water from private wells that have been flooded Read more about the overflow in today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:44 AM Young's father expected to testify todayPROVIDENCE - The father of a Providence police Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. is expected to testify today in the civil trial stemming from his son's death in January 2000 when he was shot by fellow officers. Retired Maj. Cornel Young Sr. was at the courthouse yesterday but did not get a chance to testify. He is expected to testify today along with former Capt. John J. Ryan. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM "Messy travel" weather on tap for Turkey DayPROVIDENCE - Wise Thanksgiving travelers will get an early start, since an Alberta Clipper storm system will bring "messy travel" weather to southern New England for Thanksgiving Day, the National Weather Service says in a special weather statement.
Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM November 22, 2005Hazardous toys identifiedPROVIDENCE - The annual toy safety report, a list of hazardous toys with small parts, toxic chemicals and excessive noise, was to be released this morning by the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group at Mount Hope Children's Day Care, in Providence. The full list is now available on the group's Web site. Posted by at 05:13 PM Local ACLU sues over billboard lawPROVIDENCE - The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit for a Providence businessman, saying the state's billboard advertising law violates his First Amendment rights. The state has told businessman Anthony Joseph Vono to remove a billboard from the roof of his business, Specialty Promotions, because state law prohibits putting up billboards near a highway if they advertise for a business or activity that is not located on the The billboard, visible from Route 95, advertises Casey Family Services, a nonprofit social services agency. -- Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 05:06 PM Stuffing recalled, just before ThanksgivingJust two days before Thanksgiving, a Pennsylvania company has recalled stuffing that was distributed in Rhode Island because it might contain undeclared wheat and dairy products. Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. of Chambersburg, Pa., has recalled its Martin's Potatobred Soft Cubed Stuffing with sell-by dates of Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. The product packaging doesn't indicate that it contains wheat and dairy. People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat or dairy products could have an allergic reaction. The stuffing comes in a 12-ounce yellow and red package. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:52 PM Captain testifies for 4 hours in Young trialPROVIDENCE - A city police captain spent more than four hours on the witness stand today in the civil trial stemming from the death of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. When questioned by defense lawyer Michael J. Colucci, Capt. Steven M. Melaragno said the city had never had a friendly-fire shooting before the off-duty Young was killed by two on-duty officers in 2000, and he thought the city's off-duty policy "worked." Plaintiff's lawyer Barry C. Scheck questioned Melaragno, saying, "You were asked if the Providence protocal worked. ... Cornel Young Jr. is dead, isn't he?" Melaragno said: "Yes." Later, Colucci asked: "Cornel Young Jr. did not follow the protocol, did he?" Melaragno said: "No." Sgt. Young's father, retired Maj. Cornel Young Sr., was at the courthouse today but did not get a chance to testify. He is expected to testify tomorrow along with former Capt. John J. Ryan. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 03:48 PM Ethics panel dismisses complaint against MurphyPROVIDENCE - The Ethics Commission today dismissed a complaint against House Speaker William J. Murphy over his legal representation of a State House colleague during a state police investigation arising from a family dispute over an estate. Middletown lawyer Kenneth M. Lima complained that Murphy broke the state Ethics Code by representing his sister, state Rep. Charlene M. Lima, D-Cranston, while the state police were investigating accusations Kenneth Lima made about his sister's activities related to the estate of their mother. After the closed-door vote, Chairman James Lynch Sr. said, "There wasn't anything there. He didn't violate any provision of our code." -- Journal staff writer Bruce Landis Posted by Jack Perry at 03:23 PM Chafee: Health Dept. gets $8.8M for 4 projectsWASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $8.8 million to the Rhode Island Department of Health, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., announced today. The money will be used for four different projects: $6.24 million for public health preparedness and responding to bioterrorism, $2.32 million for immunization and vaccines for children, $170,000 for preventing and controlling injuries and $150,000 for early hearing detection and intervention. Posted by Jack Perry at 02:23 PM ME withholding cause of teacher aide's deathPROVIDENCE -- The state Medical Examiner's Office said today it is withholding the cause of death, at the request of the state Attorney General's Office, of a teacher's aide found slain in her Warwick home last week. In a one-sentence press release, Dr. Dorota Latuszynski, the interim chief medical examiner, said the request was due to "on-going investigation" into the death of Margaret Duffy-Stephenson, 37, of 28 Blackmore St. Warwick police said last week that she had been found inside her home, a victim of "violent trauma." They released no other details. Read today's related Journal story. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:13 PM Health Dept. warns of sewage overflow in BristolBRISTOL - Raw sewage is overflowing into an area near Wood and Hope Streets because of pump failure at the Bristol Treatment Plant, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. "Our primary concern is people's exposure to it," said Robert Marshall, a Health Departmant spokesman. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:31 PM | Comment Will Marlins talk about trade to Sox today?The Florida Marlins, who reached a preliminary agreement last night to send pitching ace Josh Beckett to the Boston Red Sox, have called a news conference for this afternoon at 2. But they said the subject would be the team's pursuit of a new stadium, and general manager Larry Beinfest would not be available. -- The Associated Press For more on the trade, read today's Journal story. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:13 PM Man accused in Swansea police officer's death faces new chargeFALL RIVER, Mass. -- The volunteer firefighter accused of drunk driving in the death of a Swansea police officer earlier this month was arraigned this morning in Fall River District Court on an additional charge of marijuana possession. Wayne R. Smith, 49, of Swansea, moving on crutches after being hospitalized in conjunction with the accident, pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance after police found seven grams of marijuana in the bed of his truck. The truck was searched at State Police headquarters in Middleboro, Mass., on Nov. 7, two days after it crossed the center line on Route 6 and slammed into the Ford Explorer police cruiser driven by Sgt. Robert M. Cabral, who was posthumously promoted to lieutenant after the fatal accident. More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:38 AM R.I. tourism promotion while you flyPROVIDENCE - Soon travelers flying into Rhode Island on Spirit Airlines will be treated to a 2.5-minute video advertising Providence and its features. The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau convinced the airline to play the video loop, which will show on all of Spirit's inbound flights to T.F. Green Airport. Posted by Andrea Stape at 10:35 AM Lincoln Park to roll out expansion plansLINCOLN - Lincoln Park this afternoon will show invited guests detailed plans for an expansion that will add 160,000 square feet and 600 video lottery terminals. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:29 AM Wintry weather on the wayPROVIDENCE -- The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for today's storm, which has brought heavy rain, and then an Alberta Clipper that's expected to bring "a round of wintry weather" to the region late tomorrow and Thanksgiving Day. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:57 AM Emergency Management Council to get energy updateCRANSTON -- The Emergency Management Advisory Council will meet at 2 p.m. today to hear an update on energy costs and supplies this winter and the threats of rolling blackouts in the state. Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty is the chairman of the group. Posted by at 09:57 AM Kraft wins NCAA's Roosevelt awardINDIANAPOLIS - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is the NCAA's Theodore Roosevelt Award winner for 2006. Kraft will receive the award, given to former NCAA athletes for career achievement, during the annual NCAA Convention in Indianapolis in January. Last year's winner was former astronaut Sally K. Ride and other past winners have included Presidents Ford, Reagan and George H.W. Bush. -- The Associated Press Kraft earned a varsity football letter at Columbia College as a member of the 1960 varsity lightweight football team. He graduated in 1963. Since Kraft became owner of the Patriots in 1994, the team has won three of the last four Super Bowls, five division championships and four conference championships. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 09:54 AM Convention Center Authority to vote on Civic Center dealPROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Convention Center Authority has scheduled a vote at its morning meeting to acquire the adjacent Dunkin' Donuts Center for $28.5 million. Posted by at 09:00 AM November 21, 2005Bryant stabbing victim in good conditionPROVIDENCE -- A 20-year-old Bryant University student stabbed outside a residence hall early yesterday was listed in good condition at Rhode Island Hospital this afternoon. The student's name, Alessio Trabelsi, was released today by the police. His hometown was unavailable. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 05:01 PM 'Good-looking bandit' indictedPROVIDENCE -- The Providence County grand jury today handed up an indictment naming the man dubbed "the good-lucking bandit" on two counts of first-degree robbery. It is alleged that Stephen Celico, on or about July 13, committed two crimes of first-degree robbery, robbing an individual in each instance. The alleged incidents took place in Providence. He had been arrested in September in a string of East Side robberies. Celico, of Providence, recently lived in Westerly, the police said. Providence Police conducted the investigation. The defendant will be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on Dec. 7. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:59 PM Grand jury clears Providence officer in robbery suspect's deathPROVIDENCE -- A Providence police officer has been cleared by a grand jury in the shooting death of a knife-wielding robbery suspect. A Police Department review board last month also cleared Officer Ronald T. Riley Jr., ruling that he feared his life was in danger when he confronted Duffy in the driveway of a house in the city's Wanskuck neighborhood. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:31 PM Newport march honors slain Dallas officer / With photo
As bagpipes wailed, the former Rhode Islander's flag-draped coffin was removed from the hearse and brought inside the hall. Family members walked in with the casket. Some 200 of the police officers and firefighters who marched in front of the hearse for about a mile from Newport Grand to the Naval War College remained outside as the service began. They listened to the service broadcast over speakers outside the building. -- Journal staff writer Richard Salit Posted by at 03:42 PM Photo: Dallas color guard readies for officer's Newport memorial
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Posted by at 03:30 PM Dallas officers honor fallen comradeNEWPORT -- Nearly two hundred Dallas police officers arrived at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick at 12:30 p.m. to honor a fallen comrade, Dallas police officer Brian H. Jackson, a former Rhode Islander who was shot and killed Nov. 13 while investigating a reported domestic disturbance. -- Rich Salit. Posted by Jack Perry at 02:41 PM Roll call to conclude Newport service for Dallas officerNEWPORT -- A last roll call for slain Dallas police officer Brian Jackson will wrap up a memorial service for him today at the Naval War College. A contingent of Dallas officers, along with the former Rhode Islander's family, will leave the chapel after the service -- which began at 2 p.m. -- ends. The rest of the attendees will remain inside. Outside the chapel, the Dallas police will hold a last roll call. At the conclusion of that, a siren will sound and a single cruiser will leave the grounds. The rest of the mourners will then be allowed to leave. -- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:26 PM Auction of R.I. artists' work to benefit children's theaterArt for Art, a silent auction of works by Rhode Island artists, will take place Monday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. Proceeds will benefit All-Children's Theatre of Pawtucket. Among the donated works are an illustration by children's book author Chris Van Allsburg, a cartoon by Don Bousquet, a watercolor by Trinity Rep actor Anne Scurria and a coffee-table book of paintings by the late actor Anthony Quinn. The artists who've donated works so far: Tiffany Adams, 2 pieces of Raku pottery
Posted by Sheila Lennon at 02:25 PM Thanksgiving travel: More but stormyPROVIDENCE -- Auto club AAA expects Thanksgiving travel to increase just under one percent this year, with 37.29 million people traveling 50 or more miles from home. Posted by Jack Perry at 02:02 PM Lucky rejoins URI basketball teamSOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Jon Lucky, the sophomore point guard who left the University of Rhode Island basketball team for personal reasons on Saturday, is back. He has rejoined the Rams in Utah, where they will play tomorrow night, and may see action in the game. Posted by Art at 12:46 PM R.I. gas prices drop 10 cents for 3rd week in rowPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped another 10 cents to an average of $2.09 per gallon for unleaded, regular gasoline at the self-service pump, according to AAA Southern New England. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:58 AM Providence team to compete in firefighter challengePROVIDENCE – The Providence fire chief and four other Providence firefighters will compete Nov. 29 in the Firefighter Combat Challenge, a fitness competition in Deerfield, Fla., that attracts firefighters from all over North America and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fire Chief David Costa and his teammates will wear full gear and breathing apparatus as they simulate real-life firefighting tasks, such as climbing a five-story tower and rescuing a life-sized "victim." The other members of the Providence team are firefighters James Okolowitcz, Joseph Vingi, Bonnie Benson, and Peter Vieira. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:56 AM Memorial service today for slain police officerNEWPORT -- A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. today for Dallas police officer Brian H. Jackson, a former Rhode Islander who was shot to death on Nov. 13 while responding to a report of domestic violence. The service at the Naval War College, Newport, will be for close friends, family and fire and rescue personnel. It will be closed to the general public. For more on services for Jackson here and in Dallas, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:28 AM Publisher: Providence 93rd most dangerous U.S. cityProvidence ranked as the 93rd most dangerous city in the country last year, or, to give the ranking a more positive spin, the 277th safest city, according to a Kansas publisher. Morgan Quitno Press used six crime categories reported to the FBI to rank 369 cities with more than 75,000 residents. Newton, Mass., was considered the safest, Camden, N.J., the most dangerous. The categories used are: Murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. The publishing company annually publishes state and city rankings in several categories. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:02 AM Verizon moving forward with cable TV serviceVerizon Communications said today it will begin offering cable television service in Herndon, Va., this week. It will be the second community where Verizon's FiOS TV service is available (the first was Keller, Texas) and the first on the East Coast. Verizon has said it will bring the service to Rhode Island, but it is not saying when. The company has yet to seek cable TV franchises from state regulators, a step it must take before it can offer service here. The service has essentially the same features as traditional cable TV, including premium channels, high definition programming, and video on demand. A tier of service that includes 180 digital video and music channels starts at $39.95 a month, according to a news release. Posted by Tim Barmann at 10:45 AM Latin music show coming to Mohegan SunVictor Manuelle, Andy Andy, and Wisin & Yandel will peform at the Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, the casino announced today. Tickets, $48 and $68, are at the box office and through www.ticketmaster.com. Posted by Journal Staff at 09:55 AM Brown president keynoter at Chamber dinner tonightPROVIDENCE - About 900 people are scheduled to attend the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner tonight at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Brown University President Ruth Simmons will give the keynote address: Research Universities - Engines of Growth for the 21st Century.
Posted by at 08:48 AM Raytheon starts Athena projectPORTSMOUTH - Officials will gather at Raytheon's Naval Integration Center in Portsmouth this morning to formally launch Project Athena, a homeland security surveillance system that will monitor sea lanes, ports and shorelines for terrorist threats. Posted by at 08:44 AM Carcieri, Lynch target drunk drivingCRANSTON -- Governor Carcieri and state Attorney General Patrick Lynch this morning are announcing their plans to file joint legislation to curb drunk driving. The Republican governor and Democratic AG will make the announcement as they join officials from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island State Police in Cranston to launch the state's annual campaign to reduce drunk driving during the holiday season. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:43 AM November 18, 2005Carcieri complains to regulators about energy costsPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri today sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission complaining about energy producers making "windfall profits" at the expense of their customers. He urged the commission to re-examine how it regulates the energy market to protect consumers. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:53 PM Sale of Dunkin' Donuts Center moves closerPROVIDENCE -- The Providence Civic Center Authority voted today to approve the sale of the city's aging Dunkin' Donuts Center to the state's Convention Center Authority. The sale is expected to close on Dec. 5, if four other public boards sign off on the $28.5 million sale. Posted by Andrea Stape at 04:52 PM House Democratic leaders back tougher drunk-driving lawsPROVIDENCE - House Democratic leaders endorsed a bill today that adds criminal penalties for drivers who repeatedly refuse to take blood alcohol tests, a move they said would strengthen the nation's weakest drunken driving laws. Fifty percent of the fatal accidents in the state last year involved alcohol, the highest rate in the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationally, about 39 percent of fatal accidents are alcohol-related. Legislators, including House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, acknowledged today that Rhode Island has the nation's least effective drunken driving laws. Earlier this year, it became the only state to receive a "poor" rating on the issue from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. One reason is that suspected drunken drivers face no significant penalty for refusing to take a blood alcohol test. Drivers who refuse a breath, blood or urine test now lose their license for only three to six months, regardless of how many times they are pulled over. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:41 PM Warwick woman found murdered in her homeWARWICK -- A 37-year-old woman was found murdered in her home this morning, Warwick police said, though they are not releasing her name or details of how she died, pending notification of her next of kin. Col. Stephen McCartney said that a relative went to the woman's home at 26 Blackmore St. to check on her after she had not been heard from in some time. McCartney would not disclose how long. The relative called police just after 8 a.m. When they arrived, they found the woman inside, the victim of what McCartney called a "violent death," while refusing to release any details of the manner of death. "We are conducting a very intensive crime scene investigation, and looking into the background of the victim," McCartney said. Police said they may have more information by the end of today. When asked whether they had any leads on the crime, McCartney said, "We have some things." -- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi Posted by Jack Perry at 03:10 PM Hit-run victim, 81, identified as Providence manPROVIDENCE -- The Providence police have released the name of an 81-year-old man fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver yesterday morning on North Main Street. Albert Nugent, of Providence, died yesterday at Rhode Island Hospital, according to the police. The police are still looking for the car that struck Nugent, described as a black Pontiac Grand Am. The police have a partial Rhode Island license plate number and are working with Registry officials to identify the owner. Anyone with information should call the police at 401-243-6409. -- Journal staff writer Karen Davis Posted by Jack Perry at 03:08 PM Judge drops R.I., state fire marshal from Station fire civil suitsPROVIDENCE -- A federal judge has dropped the state of Rhode Island and the state fire marshal from the civil lawsuits stemming from the 2003 Station nightclub fire, which killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. But Judge Ronald R. Lagueux declined to drop the town of West Warwick, where the fire happened, and the town's fire marshal, who had inspected the nightclub and okayed it for fire safety. Read Lagueux's ruling, entered today in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:34 PM ACLU to hear religious freedom leaderPROVIDENCE -- The head of a national religious freedom group will speak tonight at the Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union's annual dinner at the Providence Biltmore. Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., will speak on "Ten Reasons You Just Can't Trust the Religious Right." Posted by Jack Perry at 12:57 PM Photo: Open windows
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Posted by at 12:05 PM Hearing put off for 9 accused of voter fraudPROVIDENCE -- The Superior Court hearing for nine men facing felony voter fraud charges in connection with last year's elections in East Providence has been continued. -- Journal staff writer Richard Dujardin Posted by Jack Perry at 12:03 PM Health director warns: Flu pandemic could cripple work forceCRANSTON -- A flu pandemic could sicken 20 to 30 percent of the population and cripple the work force, with many of those not sickened staying home to care for ill relatives, Dr. David R. Gifford, head of the state's Health Department, said this morning. Gifford, head of the state's "Pandemic Flu Working Group," updated Governor Carcieri and about 50 city and town officials at the state Emergency Management Agency on his group's progress with a plan for preventing and responding to an outbreak of pandemic influenza. The plan should be completed by Dec. 20. More about the flu and preparing for a pandemic ... -- Journal medial writer Felice J. Freyer Posted by Jack Perry at 12:02 PM Finalization of adoptions to mark National Adoption Day in R.I.PROVIDENCE -- National Adoption Day will be recognized here tomorrow with the finalization of 26 adoptions with 20 different families, the state's judiciary has announced. The special event will start at 10 a.m. at Rhode Island Family Court, fifth floor, One Dorrance Plaza. It will coincide with other events planned across the nation to draw attention to the adoption process and the large number of children available for adoption, the court said. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:30 AM Services today in Dallas for slain police officer from R.I.DALLAS, Texas – Services for a slain Dallas police officer from Rhode Island are expected to draw a large turnout today. Officer Brian H. Jackson, 28, who attended Portsmouth High School and graduated from the University of Rhode Island, will be remembered with a memorial service at noon, Eastern time. It will be held at a nondenominational Dallas church whose large auditorium has accommodated numerous city funerals. Afterward, a cortege will bring Jackson's casket to the Restland Memorial Park cemetery, where Jackson's name has been added to a "first-responders memorial." There will be a 21-gun salute, helicopter flyover and playing of taps. His wife, JoAnn DeMello Jackson, will be presented with a Texas flag. View live video of the services at noon today on projo.com, with more coverage later today and in tomorrow’s Journal Jackson’s body was scheduled to be flown to T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island tomorrow night, with a local wake and memorial service set for Sunday and Monday. Jackson was shot to death early Sunday while responding to a report of domestic violence. For more details on the local services, read yesterday’s Journal story View live video of the services at noon today on projo.com, with more coverage later today and in tomorrow’s Journal Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:20 AM Sunny, but chilly, weather on tapPROVIDENCE -- November-like weather has finally arrived like a cold slap after the balmy temperatures that prevailed for much of the month. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:05 AM Carcieri, municipal leaders to discuss bird fluCRANSTON -- Governor Carcieri will meet this morning with officials and EMA directors from cities and towns around the state to discuss plans for dealing with a possible bird flu pandemic. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM Von Trapp descendant to attend "Sound of Music" in PawtucketMonique von Trapp Saflund, granddaughter of Maria and Georg von Trapp, will attend The Community Players’ production of "The Sound of Music" tomorrow at 8 p.m. Following the performance, the audience can join Saflund for a dessert and coffee reception. The show is at Jenks Junior High in Pawtucket; for reservations call (401) 726-6860. The play -- along with its famous 1965 movie -- tells the story of the von Trapp family in Austria and the nun who became their governess. Posted by Journal Staff at 08:53 AM R.I. small business council meets The Rhode Island Small Business Advisory Council is meeting this morning to hear Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan, co-chairperson of the Joint Committee on Economic Development, discuss the panel's goals for 2006. Posted by at 08:04 AM November 17, 2005Thousands hear Dalai Lama's message in NewportNEWPORT -- More than 4,000 people crowded under a tent overlooking the ocean on a chilly fall day to hear the Dalai Lama, exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, speak this afternoon. Although his accent at times made it hard to understand his words, the Dalai Lama's message was clear -- compassion is the path to happiness and peace. The Dalai Lama spoke for about 45 minutes publicly during his sold-out visit to Salve Regina University, which is the last stop in a 10-day U.S. visit. He also met with former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, and his wife, Nuala, both longtime supporters, who live in Newport and attended the talk as well. From here, the spiritual leader flies to Scotland. -- With reports from Journal staff writers Richard Salit and Jennifer Jordan More to come in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:58 PM | Comment Providence hit-run victim, 81, diesPROVIDENCE -- An 81-year-old man has died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver this morning on North Main Street, according to the Providence police. The police have not released the man's name. The police are still looking for a black Pontiac Grand Am. Witnesses saw the car slow and drive off after the man was struck around 10 a.m., according to the police.
Posted by Jack Perry at 05:00 PM Ex-officer Saraiva testifies in Young civil suitPROVIDENCE - A former police officer who shot an off-duty colleague testified today that the victim advanced on him with a gun and it wasn't until later that he realized he'd killed a fellow classmate from the police academy. Carlos Saraiva took the stand in the lawsuit filed by the mother of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., who was killed in 2000 when police responded to a fight at a diner where he'd been eating. Young tried to intervene in the disturbance and was mistaken as a suspect. Young's mother, Leisa Young, filed a $20 million civil rights lawsuit against the city, claiming the Providence Police Department maintained an off-duty policy especially hazardous to black officers like her son. -- The Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:58 PM EB to lay off 150 workersGROTON, Conn. -- Electric Boat says it will lay off 150 workers assigned to maintain the USS Philadelphia after the Navy shifted the maintenance contract to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The submarine, homeported in Groton, just returned this week after a deployment marred by a collision with a Turkish cargo ship in the Persian Gulf. The layoffs will occur early next year, according to Electric Boat, which employs about 7,000 people. The submarine builder also has a facility at Quonset Point in Rhode Island. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:50 PM Brown students want O'Reilly to apologizePROVIDENCE -- The Undergraduate Council of Students at Brown University passed a resolution last night calling for the university to request a correction and an apology from Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly for a report that ran Monday night on The O'Reilly Factor. The program included videotaped footage of a party hosted by Brown's Queer Alliance that resulted in 30 students receiving medical treatment for intoxication. For more background, read The Journal's report of the program and reaction to it. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:25 PM Appeals court upholds drug dealer's life sentencePROVIDENCE -- A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction and life without parole sentence imposed last year on a convicted drug dealer, the first such sentence ever given in Rhode Island for drug trafficking, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. Charles C. Brown, who ran a crack cocaine business out of a house he owned on Burnside Street, Providence, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in February 2004. His life sentence was mandatory under federal law because he had two prior drug trafficking convictions. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday also upheld the convictions of two co-defendants but sent their cases back to U.S. District Court, Providence, for resentencing. Brown's co-defendants, Charles H. Isler and Bilal The U.S. Supreme Court has since ruled that the guidelines are only advisory. During the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein presented evidence that police began investigating activities at the heavily-fortified Burnside Street house after receiving complaints about suspected drug activity. Detectives forced their way into the house in June 2003, arrested the three defendants and seized about 164 grams of crack cocaine. The Appeals Court affirmed Brown's sentence because it was based on a specific statute passed by Congress rather than on federal sentencing guidelines, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Isler and Rashid will remain in federal custody pending resentencing, which has not been scheduled. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:04 PM 2.5 tremor recorded in Plymouth, Mass.
Quakes up to that magnitude usually are not felt, but can be recorded by seismograph, and do not even rate the lowest classification of minor, which starts at 3.0. At. 2.5 from 5.4, they can cause minor damage. The greatest magnitude on the scale is 8.0. Check the seismograph recordings
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:42 PM Beaujolais nouveau arrives, dinners follow tonightThe first Beaujolias Nouveau of the 2005 harvest in France has arrived in the United States, and three local restaurants are planning special tasting dinners tonight to mark the annual occasion. The new red wine will be served tonight at Chez Pascal and Pot au Feu in Providence and at Hanson's Landing in Wakefield. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:40 PM Black Crowes to play Lupo'sPROVIDENCE -- Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon for a show by the Black Crowes at 8 p.m. on Dec. 30 at Lupo's, the concert hall announced today. Price is $38.50 (reserved seats $50), with a six-ticket limit. At Lupo's box office, through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (401) 331-2211. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:32 PM Amtrak requiring reservations during holiday weekAmtrak said today that all Amtrak trains in the Northeast will require reservations during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week, Nov. 22-28. The train service said it will add an extra 60 trains next week to handle the rush of travelers, with most cars added on the two busiest travel days, Wednesday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 27. The railroad expects to carry more than 600,000 passengers during the holiday week, about 30 percent more than a typical week. The day before the Thursday Thanksgiving holiday is its heaviest travel day of the year, with ridership expected to spike at 125,000 passengers. Reservations can be made through Amtrak.com, at ticket windows, or by phone at 800-USA-RAIL.
Posted by Tim Barmann at 01:43 PM Successor to Farmer at R.I. PBS namedThe former owner of two local radio stations has been named to succeed Susan Farmer as head of Channel 36, Rhode Island's PBS affiliate. Robert Fish was elected to the post of president and CEO by the Rhode Island Fish, a Warwick native and Bryant graduate, had owned WHJJ and WHJY radio stations in the 1980s. Farmer, who held the post for 17 years and was battling cancer, retired in the spring of 2004. -- Journal TV writer Andy Smith Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:30 PM Man, 81, struck by hit-run driver in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- City police are investigating a hit-and-run accident on North Main Street that injured an 81-year-old man this morning. Witnesses saw the car slow and drive off after the man was struck, according to the police. The police are looking for a black Pontiac Grand Am. -- Journal staff writer Karen Davis Posted by Jack Perry at 12:38 PM Woonsocket man gets 50 years for brutal rapePROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge this morning sentenced a Woonsocket man to serve 50 years in prison for beating, raping and robbing a woman outside a deserted Woonsocket mill in 2003. On July 28, Timothy Scanlon, 26, was convicted of three counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of robbery, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of felony assault. Judge Robert D. Krause also sentenced Scanlon to 20 years probation following his prison sentence. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 11:32 AM New communications director for Providence diocesePROVIDENCE -- The Diocese of Providence has appointed a former spokesman for U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., as its director of communications. Michael K. Guilfoyle starts his new job Nov. 28, replacing William G. Halpin, who retired earlier this year. Guilfoyle had most recently worked as a spokesman and director of communications for Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse's U.S. Senate campaign. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:08 AM Forum tonight with Providence School Board candidatesPROVIDENCE -- City residents will have the chance to meet the semifinalists applying for the Providence School Board vacancies during a public forum at 7 tonight at Nathanael Greene Middle School, 721 Chalkstone Ave. The candidates, vying for four openings on the board, will have an opportunity to express their views on education during the forum moderated by the League of Women Voters. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:32 AM Photo: Downtown ice rink readies for opening
Journal photo/Mary Murphy Posted by at 10:26 AM Photo: Leisa Young returns to court as lawsuit continues
Journal photo/Mary Murphy Read today's Journal story for background on the case and yesterday's court action
Posted by at 10:17 AM Photo: Former Providence police chief Prignano arrives at court
Read today's Journal story for Prignano's testimony yesterday Journal photo/Mary Murphy Posted by at 10:06 AM Job fair in Providence today to honor veteransPROVIDENCE -- Twenty-six companies are scheduled to participate in a job fair to honor military veterans, sponsored by netWORKri, today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at One Reservoir Ave. Posted by at 09:01 AM | Comment IBM expands role in RI wireless networkIBM said this morning it will expand its role and become project manager of Rhode Island's plan to become the first state in the country with border-to-border broadband wireless coverage. The pilot project is called Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs). It is aimed at Rhode Island enterprises and workers. The effort is part of IBM's involvement in the Business Innovation Factory. For more information, read the press release. Posted by at 09:00 AM Health care workers to set up picket lineNurses, health care providers, patients and others at the Blackstone Valley Community Healthcare Center in Central Falls plan to set up an informational picket line at 5 p.m. today to protest alleged unsafe conditions for the staff and patients. Posted by at 09:00 AM November 16, 2005Providence priest suspended in wake of molestation suitPROVIDENCE -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence Diocese suspended a priest at St. Pius V Church today after an 18-year-old Maryland man filed a civil lawsuit claiming he had been sexually molested by the priest. Diocese officials said they knew of the allegations lodged against the Rev. Aaron J. Cote in Maryland, but believed he had been cleared in a criminal investigation before his transfer to Rhode Island. A criminal investigation was closed without an arrest, a Montgomery County, Md., police spokesman confirmed today. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 05:10 PM Local services set for slain Dallas police officerA wake and memorial service have been scheduled in Newport for a Dallas police officer from Rhode Island who was killed in the line of duty last week. The body of Brian H. Jackson, 28, will be flown home this Saturday after funeral services in Texas on Friday. Jackson's body is tentatively due to arrive on an American Airlines flight at 9:30 p.m. at T. F. Green Airport in Warwick. Calling hours will be held on Sunday at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, with a police walk-through at 3 p.m., followed by a wake opened to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. A memorial service has been set for Monday at the Naval War College. Details are still being confirmed. A memorial Web site has also been created for Jackson at: http://www.brianjackson.org Messages of sympathy may also be posted on a projo.com guest book. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:48 PM Outcry grows over Sovereign dealA group representing big pension funds has joined the call for a shareholder vote on Sovereign Bancorp's proposed sale of a 19.8-percent stake to Spain's Banco Santander Central Hispano SA. The Council of Institutional Investors wrote to the New York Stock Exchange asking it to force a vote on what it called "an injustice" to existing Sovereign shareholders. The council and other big investors argue Sovereign structured the deal to circumvent stock exchange rules on shareholder votes. Posted by at 03:12 PM Wesley Snipes in the woods of West Greenwich / photo
WEST GREENWICH -- Filming has begun in Rhode Island for Hard Luck, an action thriller starring Cybill Shepherd and Wesley Snipes. Snipes, who plays a gangster named Lucky, today drove a creme-colored Cadillac around University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones campus shooting scenes for the independent film that is expected to be in theaters next spring. Filming will continue at various Rhode Island locales through Dec. 23. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:03 PM Mass. Rep. Travis to retire in 2006REHOBOTH, Mass. -- Twelve-term state Rep. Philip Travis, a leading opponent of gay marriage in the Massachusetts legislature, announced today that he will retire next fall at the end of his current term, when he will be 66. The Democrat, who represents Rehoboth, Seekonk, Swansea and Norton, said he was making the announcement now to give potential candidates time to start gearing up for next November's election. He did not give a specific reason for his impending departure, except to say he was going to "change direction to take on new challenges and enjoy life after politics." Before becoming a legislator, he had been a Rehoboth selectman and a member of the School Committee. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr. More to come in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com
Posted by Jack Perry at 02:10 PM Photo: Keeping an eye on bridge's progress
John McAvoy, a design and construction engineer with the Federal Highway Administration's office in Rhode Island, looks into the crawl space today of the bridge that will eventually span the Providence River as part of a new stretch of Interstate 195. The 400-foot span is being built on a pier at Quonset Point in North Kingstown. It will be brought by barge and secured into place sometime by the summer of next year. The new roadway -- nicknamed the Iway -- should be ready for traffic by fall 2007, the state Department of Transportation has said. Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:14 PM No decision yet on mistrial request in lead-paint lawsuitPROVIDENCE -- Judge Michael A. Silverstein has not yet decided whether to declare a mistrial in the landmark lead-paint lawsuit he's hearing in Superior Court. Silverstein listened to lawyers' arguments this morning, without the jury present, before calling a break at noon and advising lawyers and the jury to return at 2 p.m. -- Journal staff writer Brandie Jefferson Lawyers representing four paint companies being sued by the state of Rhode Island called for a mistrial yesterday after a prosecutor asked former state Health Director Patricia Nolan whether any of the defendants contributed funding or other support to state programs addressing "the lead-poisoning problem." For more details, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:35 PM Portsmouth Abbey adding wind powerPORTSMOUTH -- Portsmouth Abbey is holding a ceremonial groundbreaking this morning for its new wind turbine. Starting as early as March of next year, the turbine should generate about 40 percent of the annual electricity needs for the 500-acre boarding school and monastery. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:18 AM Near-record warmth todayPROVIDENCE -- The mercury should come close, but it probably won't break the record warmth of 72 degrees set for this date in 1990, according to the National Weather Service. Providence should reach a high of 68 degrees. "If we were to break out of the clouds, we might have a shot at" the record, said Mike Jackson, a weather service meteorologist in Taunton, Mass. Get the latest local observations and forecasts ... Posted by Jack Perry at 10:02 AM Warwick tourism campaign to be announcedWARWICK -- Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian is scheduled to announce a new tourism campaign this morning to encourage visitors to fly into T.F. Green Airport, stay at local hotels and tour the area. -- Journal Business staff
Posted by at 09:00 AM Seasonal hiring starts at UPSWARREN -- UPS is scheduled to hold a job fair this morning at its offices at 470 Metacom Ave., in Warren, to hire seasonal workers to help with deliveries during the holiday season. -- Journal Business staff Posted by at 09:00 AM November 15, 2005Tour manager joins Station owners' bid to drop manslaughter chargesPROVIDENCE -- The concert tour manager accused of lighting the pyrotechnics that started The Station nightclub fire has joined his co-defendants in asking a judge to drop the manslaughter indictments against him. Dan Biechele has joined Station owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian in their motion filed yesterday in Superior Court, based on a fax prosecutors received in May 2003, which alleged that the foam company had a policy of not warning customers about potential dangers of its product. The pyrotechnics ignited foam soundproofing on the West Warwick nightclub's walls, and fire quickly spread through the building, killing 100 people in February 2003. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:55 PM Silver Lake home fire started in electrical systemPROVIDENCE -- The fire that destroyed a multifamily house and caused fire and smoke damage to three other houses in Silver Lake last night apparently began inside a wall, in or near an electrical outlet, according to city Fire Marshal George Farrell. A family was watching TV in a three-family house at 531 Union Ave. on a set plugged into the outlet where the blaze broke out shortly before 6 p.m. The resulting fire left 24 or 25 people homeless. Temporary accommodations were made for most by the Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross; a few made their own arrangements. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:51 PM Update: No decision today on mistrial request in lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge won't decide today whether to declare a mistrial in the state's landmark lead-paint trial. Lawyers were told late this afternoon to return to court at 9 a.m. tomorrow for more arguments on the request earlier today by lawyers for the defendant lead-paint companies. They called for a mistrial after the state asked a witness if any of the companies had ever paid any money to help clean up lead paints in Rhode Island. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:54 PM Partington testifies in Young casePROVIDENCE -- Former city Public Safety Commissioner John J. Partington testified this morning that he thought changes had been made in Providence's policy for off-duty officers. He said he only learned that no changes were made after an off-duty officer, Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., was killed by two on-duty officers in January 2000 responding to a disturbance outside a Providence restaurant. Partington was in obvious pain with back problems as he testified in U.S. District Court as part of the civil suit against the city filed by the slain officer's mother, Leisa Young. Much of the day was taken up by the continuing testimony of another witness, Sgt. Robert K. Boehm, a training officer, who was on the stand yesterday. Court action ended for the day without the testimony of former police Chief Urbano Prignano Jr., who had been scheduled to take the stand. Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 03:17 PM | Comment Carcieri: Health-care costs an obstacle to economic growthPROVIDENCE -- The escalating cost of health insurance is becoming "a significant obstacle to economic development and to job growth" in Rhode Island, Governor Carcieri said today in releasing the preliminary results of a survey. Almost half of all Rhode Island employers have seen annual cost increases of more than 20 percent in the past three years, according to the employers surveyed. And employers offering coverage to full-time employees has fallen from 92 percent in 1999 to 80 percent in 2005. The drop in coverage for part-time employees is even more dramatic. The employer-sponsored health insurance survey was conducted by JSI Research and Training Institute for the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. The final report is due at the end of this year. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:06 PM David Macaulay, Don Bousquet headline Katrina fundraiserKINGSTON -- Author-artist David Macaulay, cartoonist Don Bousquet, and University of Rhode Island President Robert L. Carothers are among the artists who have donated works for a Hurricane Katrina fundraising auction to be held Thursday at URI's University Club, URI announced today. Posted by Journal Staff at 02:29 PM Public hearing set on National Grid's 17% rate hike requestRhode Island customers of National Grid can comment on the company's proposal to raise electricity rates by 17 percent as of Jan. 1. The Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m., at the PUC, 89 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. National Grid has said it needs the increase to cover the cost of buying electricity for its customers. Posted by Tim Barmann at 02:21 PM Progressive rockers at Lupo's tonight
Posted by Journal Staff at 01:55 PM Lead paint company lawyers ask for mistrialPROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for lead-paint companies in the state's landmark trial against them called for a mistrial today, after the state asked a witness if any of the companies had ever paid any money to help clean up lead paints in Rhode Island. Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein asked for memos on the request from both sides in the trial later today. If he agrees with it, it would be the second time the state's effort to sue the companies ended in a mistrial.
The four lead-paint company lawyers contended that it was not permissible to ask such a question without establishing first that the companies were at fault. Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein then gave lawyers for both sides until 3 p.m. today to submit memos on the request. He said he will meet them back in court at 4 p.m. If Silverstein agrees with the request, it would be the second time the state's bid to force legal remedy ended in a mistrial. Nolan was testifying at the beginning of the third week in the state's historic trial of its nuisance complaint against four companies that made the paints two generations ago. Lead-paint poisoning has been identified as a serious children’s health issue in Rhode Island, which has many older buildings coated with the paints. -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:53 PM | Comment Update: DEM probing possible haz-mat contamination at Shaw's in WesterlyWESTERLY -- Ten employees of Shaw's supermarket were treated and released today after complaining of eye and skin irritation from an as-yet unknown source at the store off Route 1. The possibility of a potentially-hazardous materials spill had brought out a state haz-mat team and fire trucks from several area departments to the scene in the Franklin Street Shopping Plaza earlier today. Several shoppers also complained of irritation, and were treated at the scene. It was still unknown what had caused the problem, which seemed centered in the cash-register area of the store. It was being investigated by the state Department of Environmental Management. At shortly after 1 p.m., no signs of contamination were evident, the DEM said. It was checking all possible sources, including Freon, which is used in air conditioning and refrigeration. The store was expected to reopen in about two hours. The 10 employees had been taken to Westerly Hospital for treatment. They were then sent home. South County Hospital in South Kingstown was put on alert but has since been told they're not needed.
Posted by Jack Perry at 01:32 PM High court: Lincoln finance director's firing invalidPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled that Lincoln Town Administator Sue P. Sheppard violated the town charter in firing finance director Douglas Stewart without cause in January 2003. The decision released today calls "the purported firing invalid" and vacates a Superior Court judgment in Sheppard's favor and returns the case to the Superior Court. Stewart is seeking monetary compensation but previously agreed not to try getting back his job. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:58 AM Photo: New Medicare Part D plan launches at Warwick Mall
Journal photo/ Mary Murphy Posted by at 10:30 AM GTECH signs contract in JamaicaWEST GREENWICH -- Lottery giant GTECH Holdings Corp. said this morning that it's signed a 5-year, $80-million contract extension in Jamaica to run the lottery system until 2016. Still no news, however, about the possibility of an acquisition, two months after GTECH said it received an unsolicited offer. -- Journal business writer Andrea Stape Posted by Andrea Stape at 10:15 AM Groundbreaking for renovations at Central High this morningPROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline and schools Superintendent Donnie Evans will join officials from Gilbane Engineering, members of the General Assembly, staff and students this morning for a ceremonial groundbreaking at Central High School. The school will undergo a renovation that "will preserve the best of the past while taking Central decidedly into the future," according to the mayor's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:35 AM Training officer to resume testimony in Young trialPROVIDENCE -- A Providence police training officer is scheduled to return to the witness stand today in a civil rights trial stemming from the death of city police Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., who was shot and killed by fellow officers while off duty. After Sgt. Robert K. Boehm completes his testimony, jurors are also expected to hear former Public Safety Commissioner John J. Partington and former Police Chief Urbano Prignano Jr. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:30 AM Health insurance survey to be releasedPROVIDENCE -- R.I. Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher Koller and Governor Carcieri will release a new survey of employers' views on health insurance this morning at a breakfast meeting of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Providence hotel. Posted by at 09:00 AM Reed to question Fed nominee BernankeWASHINGTON, D.C.-- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., will question Ben Bernanke today during Bernanke's confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee. Reed told reporters he won't make a decision on whether to support Bernanke's nomination to succeed Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan until after the hearing, but called the nomination ``non-controversial'' and said the questioning should go ``quickly.'' Posted by at 09:00 AM November 14, 2005Derderians seek dismissal of manslaughter chargesPROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for the owners of The Station nightclub, where 100 people died in a fire, asked a judge today to dismiss the indictments against their clients, saying prosecutors withheld evidence from grand jurors. The motion centers on an anonymous fax sent by Barry Warner, a salesman who sold flammable foam to club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. Warner sent an anonymous fax to prosecutors in May 2003 but recently admitted to investigators that he wrote the memo. Warner's note says his company, American Foam Corp., did not tell consumers that the foam it was selling was flammable. A grand jury indicted the Derderians and former Great White tour manager Dan Biechele on 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the February 2003 blaze at the West Warwick club. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:03 PM Services planned for slain Dallas officer from R.I.The body of Dallas police officer Brian H. Jackson, 28, a former Rhode Islander who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Dallas yesterday, will be flown back to Rhode Island Saturday. A local wake will be Sunday at a funeral home to be determined. On Monday, a public memorial service for friends, family and members of the law enforcement community will be at a location to be determined on Aquidneck Island. -- Journal staff writers Karen Lee Ziner and Richard Salit Jackson's colleagues and friends in Dallas will be able to pay their respects before his body is flown to Rhode Island. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:39 PM | Comment Aerosmith rolls into ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- The loud noise blasting from inside the Dunkin' Donuts Center and the 10-wheelers parked out back are signs that rockers Aerosmith and Lenny Kravitz are in town for a 7:30 show tonight. Tickets are still available, according to a woman at the box office, who was hard to hear above a booming sound check inside the arena late this afternoon. Tickets are $55.50 to $125.50; call (401) 331-2211 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:09 PM Hard Luck filming postponed a dayFilming for the action movie Hard Luck, which was supposed to start today, has been delayed until tomorrow, according to Steven Feinberg, director of the state's Film & Television Office. The independent feature, directed by Mario Peebles and starring Wesley Snipes and Cybill Shepherd, is being shot entirely in Rhode Island between now and Dec. 23. The locales will include the Adult Correctional Institutions, the State House and the Alton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island. Posted by Journal Staff at 03:08 PM Midnight showings of new Harry Potter movie setHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the much-anticipated fourth movie in the Harry Potter series, will open locally on Friday with special 12:05 a.m. screenings at the Providence Place Cinemas, Showcase Cinemas in Warwick and Showcase Cinemas Seekonk, on Route 6, Seekonk, Mass. Coming up: The movie will be reviewed in this Thursday's Lifebeat section of The Journal and on projo.com Posted by Journal Staff at 01:31 PM Carpio trial date may be set at Nov. 28 conferencePROVIDENCE -- A pre-trial conference for Esteban Carpio, accused of killing Providence Detective Sgt. James L. Allen at police headquarters last April, has been continued until Nov. 28 in Superior Court. At that time Carpio's trial date may be set. Carpio's lawyers have indicated they may assert that the 27-year-old Carpio is innocent of the crime by reason of insanity or diminished mental capacity. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 12:15 PM | Comment Judge: Child-care workers not effectively state employeesPROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge has sided with the Carcieri administration in rejecting a state Labor Board ruling that home-based child-care workers are effectively state workers because they are so highly controlled by the state.
In his decision today, Judge Daniel A. Procaccini wrote, "The board's decision offends any reasonable notion of orderly and responsible expansion of the state's work force." He added that the board's analysis, "if accepted, may be applied to a myriad of groups that supply goods or services to the state." The workers were seeking state employee status so they could bargain collectively and pursue other benefits of state employment.
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM | Comment Brown challenges Democratic Senate candidates to debateSecretary of State and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Matthew Brown today challenged his primary opponents, Sheldon Whitehouse and Carl Sheeler, to a debate focused solely on Iraq. The three are running for the seat now held by Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a Republican. -- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Scott Mayerowitz at 11:37 AM Downtown rink to open Saturday under new namePROVIDENCE -- It might not feel like skating weather at 64 degrees under sunny skies, but the Bank of America City Center rink in Kennedy Plaza opens for the season Saturday. Mayor David N. Cicilline joined Bank of America officials this morning to announce this season's programs and unveil the former Fleet Skating Center's new Bank of America sign. Find out more from the skating rink's Web site (whose URL is still using its former name but with updated content) ... Posted by Jack Perry at 11:32 AM Utility shutoffs at 8-year highWith heating costs at record-high levels, the number of Rhode Island households that lost utility service for non-payment this year is at its highest level in eight years. -- Journal business writer Timothy C. Barmann More to come in tomorrow's Providence Journal and on projo.com... Posted by Tim Barmann at 11:17 AM Photo: Fire at chromium plating firm in Providence
Posted by at 10:40 AM R.I. gas prices drop another 10 centsPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped another 10 cents this week, to $2.19 per gallon for regular, unleaded at the self-service pump, according to AAA Southern New England. The price reached a record high of $3.24 per gallon after Hurricane Katrina hit in early September and has dropped 20 cents over the past two weeks, 53 cents in the past month, according to AAA. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:37 AM High court ruling keeps murder suspect in hospitalPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld a Superior Court judge's decision to hold Anthony Tavares at a state hospital forensic unit until he can be tried for the November 2001 murder of social worker Glen Hayes. The state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals had challenged the Superior Court's authority to continue Tavares' commitment to Eleanor Slater Hospital after he was found competent to stand trial. The Superior Court judge ordered Tavares to remain at the forensic unit because he was concerned that Tavares would regress if he was returned to prison. The high court issued its ruling this morning. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:42 AM 100 years of Disney ice show coming to the DunkPROVIDENCE -- "Disney On Ice celebrates Walt Disney's 100 Years of Magic" is coming to the Dunkin' Donuts Center Dec. 28 through Jan. 2, the center said in a press release received today. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster. Posted by Journal Staff at 09:38 AM Providence man, 18, shot to death this morningPROVIDENCE -- City police are investigating the shooting death of an 18-year-old Atwells Avenue man early this morning. Matthew Nicholson, of 877 Atwells Ave., was found at 2:50 a.m. at the corner of Sears and Atwells Avenues. Nicholson, who had been shot, was unresponsive when police arrived. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Rhode Island Hospital. His death becomes the city's 20th homicide of the year, the police said. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:03 AM November 10, 2005Blog will be back on MondayTo our readers: It will return on Monday, after the holiday weekend. Look for it on our home page then. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:07 PM Citizens group files complaint against DufaultA citizens group has asked the Rhode Island State Police to investigate whether embattled lobbyist Guy In a complaint filed today, Operation Clean Government claims that Dufault forged signatures on a notice of organization and a campaign finance report filed in November of last year for the group Citizens for Representative Government. The signatures used the name Edward O'Brien, variously listed as treasurer or chairman/treasurer of the group. In last year's election, Operation Clean Government supported calls for a constitutional convention while Citizens for Representative Government led the fight against it. Voters rejected the convention. Dufault, former Democratic state chairman, created headlines earlier this week by boasting he had information that could bring down the governor, specifically names of past mistresses. Dufault made the comments in studio while preparing for a television show he produced, The Real Deal, at a time he thought he wasn't being taped. The comments were nevertheless broadcast, prompting Carcieri, a grandfather who has been married for 40 years, to demand a retraction. Dufault has issued an apology to the governor and his family. Dufault has since lost high-profile lobbying jobs. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:54 PM Lucchino: Epstein 'decided to take another path'BOSTON -- Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, who has made himself more and more visible in the last week, finally addressed the departure of ex-general manager Theo Epstein in a statement released Thursday afternoon. ''Although we are disappointed with the outcome, we respect Theo Epstein's decision to decline our offer of a contract extension,'' said Lucchino, who has received widespread public blame for Epstein's decision to leave. ''We worked hard to reach an agreement that would be acceptable to both the organization and to Theo, but he has decided to take another path. I wish him all good luck wherever that path may take him. Theo and I have known each other for nearly fourteen years. Let there be no doubt that I am fond of Theo, and I have developed over the years great respect for his mind, his energy, his work ethic, and his overall ability. ''I would like to respond to two specific points about which I have been asked. First, why did I not attend Theo's press conference last Wednesday? I was actually preparing to do so, as an observer, when my boss, John Henry, expressed the preference that I not do so. Therefore, I watched the proceedings on NESN. When I heard John's very complimentary and very generous remarks about me, I understood why he felt it might have been awkward for me to be in the room. ''Second, of course, people have asked me to speculate upon the reasons for Theo's decision. I shall not do so. Theo correctly characterized our meetings as 'honest discussions that are private'; he made it clear that his decision was based upon factors that are 'very personal'. I respect Theo's privacy, and I will not speculate publicly about the reasons for his decision. The media has had, in my view, ample opportunity to ask him, and I decline to say more than he chose to say about what are, in fundamental ways, matters personal to him. ''I am grateful for the many contributions Theo made to the Red Sox. He exercised impressive leadership of our baseball operations department. The team performed well during his tenure. The 2004 World Championship was a great triumph for us all, but there were numerous other less glamorous triumphs as well. Theo played an integral role in most of those achievements. He made a very positive contribution to the continuing story of the Boston Red Sox, and I believe that his place in the history of the club is positive and secure. ''His departure, however, does not terminate that history. John, Tom, and I are optimistic about the future of this franchise. The Red Sox are in an excellent place, with outstanding people filling roles throughout the organization. There is every reason to look forward to exciting and, I predict, successful seasons for years to come. ''While, as I stated above, I shall have no further comment on Theo's decision to decline our offers, I shall, of course, be available to the media to address Red Sox issues, including, most immediately, the process that will culminate in our selection of a new General Manager.'' Posted by Art at 04:51 PM | Comment Jamestown asks FERC to listen to Navy's LNG tanker concernsJAMESTOWN -- The Jamestown Town Council has asked federal regulators to consider concerns about LNG tanker traffic in Narragansett Bay raised by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. A letter the council wrote to the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, released today, echoes concerns raised by NUWC -- that tankers passing Naval operations in Newport and Middletown would impede research and development, which could hurt national defense. Weaver's Cove Energy, the developer that wants to build the LNG terminal in Fall River, has argued the Navy put forth its concerns several months too late. Regulators gave their approval for the facility in June. Posted by Tim Barmann at 03:39 PM Banker Pare retires after 43-year careerRobert O. Pare, 62, announced this afternoon he will retire on Dec. 31 as president, CEO and chairman of Centreville Savings Bank after a 43-year banking career. Raymond J. Bolster II, executive vice president and treasurer, will assume Pare's duties as head of the West Warwick-based bank. Posted by at 03:38 PM 3 dropped from Station fire civil suitPROVIDENCE -- A federal judge has dropped three of the defendants -- an insurance company and two inspection companies -- from The Station nightclub fire civil suit. Plaintiffs argued the insurer and its inspection companies should have noticed dangerous conditions at the West Warwick nightclub and forced the owners to correct them. But Judge Ronald R. Lagueux ruled that the inspections were not intended to safeguard the public, but to determine whether to issue a policy. The insurer is Essex Insurance Co., which had issued a liability policy for the nightclub. The inspectors are Multi-State Inspections Inc. and High Caliber Inspections Inc. One hundred people died from the Feb. 20, 2003, blaze and more than 200 were injured. -- Journal staff writer Paul Parker Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:02 PM Foxwoods to break ground on $700M expansionMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- State government officials will join members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and others at noon Tuesday in a groundbreaking for Foxwood Resort Casino's $700-million expansion. The 2-million-square-foot project will add gaming and entertainment space, along with meeting and convention areas. It's scheduled for completion in 2008. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:00 PM Thousands turn out for Swansea officer's funeralSWANSEA, Mass. -- Thousands paid their respects under gray skies today -- on the streets and at the church -- to a police officer called a beacon of light for the town. Lt. Robert Cabral, 52, died Saturday when his police SUV collided head-on with a motorist accused of driving while drunk. Today, fellow officers, community members and students turned out for a funeral procession and listened to speakers at services held in the annex of St. Dominic's Church, with an overflow crowd watching on TV in the church itself. Among those speaking were the bishop of the Fall River diocese, fellow officers and family members, who praised Cabral for his efforts as a DARE officer in the school system and dedication to the community's youth. There were moments of levity, too, with his brother describing Cabral as a huge New York Yankees fan in the midst of Red Sox nation.
More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal ... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:39 PM Patron faces life for robbing bartenderPROVIDENCE -- An East Providence man, whose face was too familiar to the bartender he robbed, faces 10 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to federal robbery and firearms offenses, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. On May 18, 2004, Joseph Medeiros, 53, of East Providence, used a sawed-off shotgun in robbing a bartender at Mulhern's Pub, and trying to rob a bartender at the East Providence Yacht Club. Medeiros, who had been asked to leave both East Providence establishments earlier in the evening, was recognized by the bartenders despite trying to cover his face with a ski mask. He pleaded guilty Monday and faces sentencing Feb. 23.
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:52 AM Ruling expected in Newport Regatta Club caseA Superior Court judge is expected to rule this afternoon in the dispute between a Newport businessman and condominium owners on Goat Island. Judge Stephen P. Nugent's decision will determine whether businessman Thomas R. Roos can continue running the lucrative banquet business at the Newport Regatta Club or hand control of the popular wedding hall to the island's condo owners. Posted by Dealhawk at 11:34 AM Justice for Janitors art show opens tonightPROVIDENCE -- The Justice for Janitors art show opens at 7:30 tonight at Red Door Gallery, South Main Street entrance of Memorial Hall at 226 Benefit St., Rhode Island School of Design. The site-specific installation will include works created by local artists, immigrant janitors and Posted by Journal Staff at 11:26 AM Patriots lose Duane Starks for seasonFOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots' depleted defensive secondary got even thinner this morning. Duane Starks -- whose play has been uneven at best this year, leading to his second-half benching on Monday night against the Colts -- was placed on the injured-reserve list, meaning he's out for the rest of the season. The Pats did not immediately replace him on the roster, but they will add a player before Sunday's game at Miami. The Patriots said Starks has a shoulder injury. He is the fifth New England defensive back to be placed on injured reserve. The others are Rodney Harrison, Tyrone Poole, Chad Scott and Guss Scott. Posted by Art at 11:25 AM Verizon Wireless accuses firm of getting confidential customer infoVerizon Wireless has accused a Florida-based private investigative agency of impersonating Verizon Wireless employees and posing as Verizon Wireless customers in order to obtain confidential telephone records. The wireless company filed a civil suit against Global Information Group of Temple Terrace, Fla., on Nov. 2, and a judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the company from trying to obtain more confidential information. -- Journal business writer Timothy C. Barmann Posted by Tim Barmann at 11:19 AM Cemetery procession begins for Swansea officer / Photo
SWANSEA, Mass. -- Mourners, including hundreds of police officers, marched this morning to Mount Hope Cemetery with a horse-drawn wagon carrying the flag-draped coffin of police Lt. Robert Cabral, who was killed early Saturday morning in a head-on collision with an allegedly drunk driver. Cabral, a 26-year veteran of the department, was honored at a 70-minute funeral Mass in the annex of St. Dominic's Church, where the longtime DARE officer was praised as a man who "gave people a sense of hope and a direction for the right way to live one's life." Even after the service began at 9:41, police honor guards from around the region continued to stream into the church parking lot. "Bob was a great light to our community . . . especially to our young people," said the Rev. Joseph Viveiros, who presided of the Mass that included the Most Rev. George Coleman, bishop of the Fall River diocese. "We're just overwhelmed with the outpouring you have shown my brother," a tearful Thomas Cabral, the officer's brother, told the mourners during the service. The eastern half of Route 6 in Swansea is being shut down or traffic is being limited to accommodate the procession to the cemetery. The death has produced an outpouring of grief in a town where hundreds of school children knew the DARE officer simply as "Officer Bob." This morning's service was held in the annex because it could hold about 150 people more than the church, where the capacity is 250. Thousands waited in line in the rain yesterday for his wake, which had to be extended because, when it was scheduled to end at 8 p.m., nearly 800 mourners -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:13 AM | Comment Overflow crowd for funeral of Swansea police officerSWANSEA, Mass. -- With part of Route 6 shut down, schools closed, and hundreds of police officers in town to pay their respects, a funeral service began this morning for police Lt. Robert Cabral, who was killed when a car driven by a volunteer firefighter accused of driving drunk crashed head-on into his cruiser early Saturday morning. The service was being held in a church annex, which could hold more mourners, while others were watching it on TV in the church itself. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:53 AM Edaville lights up for the holiday seasonCARVER, Mass. -- Who says it's too early for Christmas lights? Not the folks at Edaville USA. The park will flip the switch on its Christmas Festival of Lights at about 4:45 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for those 2 to 12, and admission is free for kids under 2. A $5 coupon, good through Nov. 23, is available on Edaville's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:37 AM Photo: Tough morning commute
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Posted by at 09:31 AM Army general touring Aquidneck todayMajor Gen. Roger A. Nadeau, commanding general, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, is visiting Rhode Island this morning, touring military installations and defense contractors on Aquidneck Island. Posted by at 09:03 AM GTECH wins N.J. lottery contractWEST GREENWICH -- Lottery giant GTECH said this morning it won the bidding for a five-year contract to run New Jersey's new online and instant ticket lottery system. Posted by at 09:02 AM November 09, 2005Pawtucket officials warn of rabid catsPAWTUCKET -- City officials are warning residents today about rabid cats after a stray kitten tested positive for rabies after biting a veterinary technician. The kitten had been found on Grotto Avenue and brought to an animal hospital in Providence. Pawtucket passed an ordinance less than three weeks ago making it illegal to feed stray cats. More to come in tomorrow's Providence Journal and on projo.com -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Posted by Jack Perry at 04:57 PM Several hundred crowd Swansea policeman's wakeSWANSEA, Mass. -- More than 800 people, many of them teens wearing Case High School jackets, were lined up outside the Birchcrest Waring-Sullivan Funeral home by 4:15 p.m. today, waiting to pay their respects to Lt. Robert M. Cabral, the police officer killed while on duty in a head-on crash on Route 6 over the weekend. -- Journal staff writer Alisha Pina Residents, family and friends were being dropped off by the busload at the wake, which was scheduled to run until 8 p.m. Many carried umbrellas to ward off the light rain. In addition to the hundreds of civilians, officers from around the region were lined up two abreast and began filing into the funeral home. One lane of Route 6 was closed off the accommodate the procession to the funeral home on Gardners Neck Road. Cabral, a DARE officer in the schools for years, will be buried Thursday morning. More to come in tomorrow's Providence Journal and on projo.com -- Journal staff writer Alisha Pina Posted by Jack Perry at 04:32 PM | Comment Victims' lawyer wants to pursue Derderians' assetsPROVIDENCE -- A lawyer for victims of The Station nightclub fire today asked a bankruptcy court trustee to ensure that the court pursues all potential assets of Station owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. Lawyer Max Wistow said the Derderians and their corporation, Derco LLC, could possibly collect payments through liability insurance or from other potentially culpable parties. -- projo.com staff writer Jack Perry Posted by Jack Perry at 04:26 PM Photo: Derderians arrive for bankruptcy hearing
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:42 PM Lead suit defense tries to bar CicillinePROVIDENCE -- Defense attorneys sought today to bar or limit Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline's testimony in the state's landmark lawsuit against former makers of lead paint. The state Attorney General's Office wants Cicilline to testify about whether lead paint, banned in 1978, creates a public health nuisance in Rhode Island's largest city. The defense questioned Cicilline's understanding of childhood lead poisoning. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:53 PM Carpio may rely on insanity defensePROVIDENCE -- Esteban Carpio, accused of killing a Providence police detective inside the station last April, has filed notice that he may rely on a defense of insanity and/or diminished capacity. In papers submitted to Superior Court, the suspect's lawyers say an expert's evaluation of Carpio is not yet complete and more time is needed to file a final notice. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:37 PM Snipes, Shepherd heading to R.I. to make moviePROVIDENCE -- Wesley Snipes and Cybill Shepherd and their new action film, Hard Luck, will start filming in Rhode Island on Monday, it was announced today. The independent feature directed by Mario Van Peebles is the third major production to come to the state since lawmakers passed a law granting tax breaks to television shows and movies that are shot here. -- Journal staff Posted by Scott Mayerowitz at 01:07 PM Amgen sues competitor over patentsPharmaceutical giant Amgen Inc. is suing Roche Holding AG's U.S. subsidiaries in federal district court in Boston, alleging Roche infringed on six patents Amgen holds on its anemia drug, Epogen. Amgen wants Roche to be prohibited from selling, importing or making the drug in the United States. Amgen has a manufacturing facility in West Greenwich. Posted by Andrea Stape at 12:33 PM Little improvement in latest education test resultsPROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island's 11-graders showed little improvement in the latest round of statewide testing, with scores in English and math essentially remaining flat from the previous year. At the same time, fewer high schools made progress because tougher standards -- which the state plans to raise every three years -- were applied. More to come in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com ...-- Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:29 PM Motley Crue coming to the Dunk in MarchMotley Crue says the next leg of their "Carnival of Sins" tour will include a stop in Providence. The band will perform at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 8, according to a publicist for the band. Check back in later days for ticket information. Posted by Journal Staff at 12:26 PM Photo: Memorial to Swansea police officer
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:45 AM Cox speeds up Internet serviceCox Communications said it has tripled the download speed of its "value" tier of Internet service for its customers in Rhode Island at no extra cost. Customers can now download at 768 Kbps, up from 256 Kpbs; the upload speed remains at 256 Kbps. The service costs $24.95 a month in combination with another Cox service. -- Journal business writer Timothy C. Barmann Posted by Tim Barmann at 11:04 AM Storm likely to bring strong winds over R.I.A storm moving through the Great Lakes will spread showers and thunderstorms across southern New England tonight, the National Weather Service advises, stirring up wind guests of up to 45 mph. The gusts are most likely to occur over Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts.
Motorists are advised to be cautious. The wind will diminish when a cold front moves through between 3 and 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. More wind gusts may then take place later in the day tomorrow, as cold air pours into New England. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:29 AM | Comment Westin Hotel workers to rallyPROVIDENCE -- About 100 Westin Providence hotel workers and supporters are scheduled to rally outside the downtown hotel at 4:45 p.m. today to protest the lack of a contract with the owner, The Procaccianti Group. The previous contract that covers 265 workers expired Oct. 31.
Posted by at 10:22 AM Another movie to be made in R.I.PROVIDENCE -- Another movie is coming to Rhode Island. The state Film and Television Office will announce today at noon that a new "action movie" will start production next week in the Ocean State. Come back later for details from the State House event. -- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Scott Mayerowitz at 10:08 AM Forecast: Region's economy to grow more slowly than nation'sBOSTON -- New England's economy will continue to grow at a slightly slower pace than the nation's over the next four years, with New Hampshire leading the pack and Maine and Vermont seeing the slowest gains, an economic forecast group said today. The forecast did not include a projection for Rhode Island. New Hampshire is expected to post an average 3.5 percent gain per year in gross state product over the four-year forecast period, with Connecticut ranking No. 2 at 3.2 percent. Massachusetts' economy is projected to grow at 3.0 percent per year, followed by Vermont at 2.8 percent and Maine at 2.4 percent. The forecast group's news release did not include a four-year growth projection for Rhode Island. Read the full story by the Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 09:37 AM R.I. Guard's 173rd unit coming home SaturdayThe soldiers of the 173rd Long Range Surveillance Detachment of the Rhode Island National Guard are scheduled to come home Saturday. They should be arriving at Quonset Point between 11:30 am. and noon, according to Meg Manning, wife of the unit's commander Capt. Michael Manning. -- Joel Rawson Posted by Jack Perry at 09:35 AM Open house for vocational training at Crossroads R.I.PROVIDENCE -- Crossroads Rhode Island, the agency that helps homeless people, will hold an open house this morning at its copy center at headquarters on Broad Street. The center offers vocational training opportunities in the printing industry. Posted by at 08:15 AM Derderians in bankruptcy court todayPROVIDENCE -- Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, owners of The Station nightclub, are scheduled to appear in federal bankruptcy court at noon today to answer questions from creditors about what they own and what bills they have to pay. The Derderians face claims in the wake of the disastrous fire at the West Warwick club in February 2003 that killed 100 people and injured more than 200.
Posted by at 08:13 AM November 08, 2005Dufault apologizes to governorPROVIDENCE -- Guy Dufault issued an apology late this afternoon to Governor Carcieri and his family for the "inadvertent airing" of remarks on his television show Sunday. The longtime Democratic Party operative alleged -- in what he apparently believed was an off-camera moment -- that he had "the stuff" to bring down Carcieri in the form of names of past girlfriends. The governor yesterday denounced Dufault for his comments and demanded a retraction. In a three-paragraph statement issued just before 5 p.m. today, Dufault said the comments were never meant to be public "and I clearly did not intend for them to go out over the airwaves." He said the information he referred to had been unsolicited, anonymous and uncorroborated -- and that his policy is not to discuss issues publicly that have not been corroborated. He also said, "It was never my intention to make this information public -- then or now." Dufault, who serves as a lobbyist for pro-casino and union interests, among others, also apologized to his clients, who he said had nothing to do with this incident. "This was the result of my actions and no one else's," he said, adding he would have no further comment on the issue. More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal ... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:47 PM | Comment Tim Robbins unable to attend Zathura premiere tonightSEEKONK, Mass. -- Academy-Award-winning actor Tim Robbins is reported to be sick and won't be attending tonight's local premiere of Zathura, a feature film based on a children's book by Providence author Chris Van Allsburg. Tonight's fundraising show at the Showcase Cinemas on Route 6 in will be attended by Jonah Bobo, a young actor who plays one of two squabbling brothers in the film, according to Lisa Van Allsburg, wife of the author, who organized the $250-a-head premiere to benefit four local art education groups. The movie opens nationwide on Friday. Posted by Journal Staff at 04:29 PM Congress OKs $3M to study lobster diseaseU.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced today that Congress has approved $3 million for the Rhode Island Democrat's proposal to establish a research program to study lobster shell disease, which affects 30 percent of the harvestable lobsters in southern New England and has hurt the industry. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:48 PM Johnston man gets 18 months for passing counterfeit $100sPROVIDENCE -- A Johnston man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for passing counterfeit $100 bills, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. Christian A. Sarria, arrested in February after trying to pass 20 counterfeit $100 bills at a Providence bank, was convicted in August and sentenced Nov. 4. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:26 PM Leisa Young wanted son to be a teacherPROVIDENCE -- Leisa Young, the mother of slain city Police Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., testified today in her civil suit against the city that she wanted her son to be a teacher, not a police officer. Young's father, Cornel Young Sr., was the highest-ranking black police officer with the department when his son was shot while off duty by two fellow white officers. -- M. Charles Bakst Posted by Jack Perry at 02:37 PM Ethics panel dismisses complaints against Speaker MurphyPROVIDENCE -- The state Ethics Commission today dismissed complaints by the head of the state Republican Party against House Speaker William Murphy and 10 other Democratic legislators who were guests of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. at a Boston Celtics game in March. -- Journal staff writer Bruce Landis More to come... Posted by Jack Perry at 02:09 PM Rhode Islanders lead in getting tax break for working poorRhode Island taxpayers who claim a special tax break for the working poor get a larger amount, on average, than any other New England state. That's according to tables published in a new report by the Congressional Research Service. The report looks at a tax break called the earned income tax credit, and relies on data for the 2003 tax year (the latest available). It showed that eligible Rhode Islanders received, on average, a credit of $1,646 for that year. Connecticut was second, at $1,565; Massachusetts was fourth at $1,521. About 65,000 Rhode Island taxpayers claimed the credit. Posted by Neil Downing at 01:33 PM Dufault to issue statement this afternoonLongtime Democratic Party operative Guy Dufault said today he will issue a statement this afternoon, in the wake of a political furor generated by his comments -- broadcast Sunday in what he apparently believed was an off-camera moment -- that he had "the stuff" to bring down Governor Carcieri. The Republican yesterday denounced Dufault for his remarks. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:32 PM RIPTA buses to run on holiday schedule FridayPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will observe the Veterans Day holiday Friday, and that means a limited Sunday/holiday bus schedule. More information is available at ripta.com. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:27 PM R.I.'s college-savings plan wins praiseRhode Island's state-sponsored college-savings plan ranks among the five best nationwide, according to the MSN Money Web site. The CollegeBoundfund, a Section 529 plan, won praise from Liz Pulliam Weston, personal-finance columnist for MSN Money. "It's a pity more of us don't live in Rhode Island . . . ," she said. "Even without the tax incentives, this is a good plan; if you live there, it's a mystery why you'd invest anywhere else." State Gen. Treas. Paul J. Tavares, who helps to oversee the fund, said today, "I am thrilled that MSN Money sought out and commended the excellence of our program, bringing greater awareness on the national level." Posted by Neil Downing at 12:12 PM Secretary of state to relocate some officesPROVIDENCE -- Secretary of State Matt Brown announced today that he will be relocating the Corporations and Elections and Civics divisions to a new facility at 148 West River St. The current location on North Main Street does not have any parking, while the new site will have free visitor parking. More information can be found at http://www.state.ri.us/ By Journal Staff Writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Jack Perry at 11:56 AM Photo: A welcome to the polls
Journal photo / John Freidah Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:46 AM WWE coming to Dunk; tickets on sale tomorrowTickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. for a WWE Smackdown, a pay-per-view event called "Armageddon" that will be at the Dunkin' Donuts Center Dec. 18, the Dunk announced this morning. Tickets, $25 to $175, at the box office or through Ticketmaster. Posted by Journal Staff at 10:42 AM Newport banquet hall owner back in courtNEWPORT -- The developer of the Newport Regatta Club is trying to hold onto the banquet hall he built on Goat Island long enough to resurrect the business at a nearby location. Thomas Roos will be back on the witness stand in Superior Court this afternoon as he plays for time to build a $5-million replacement for his seaside business. Posted by Dealhawk at 10:41 AM Shareholder revolt at SovereignSovereign Bancorp's largest shareholder has stepped up its campaign against the company's management and its proposed sale of a 19.8-percent stake to Spanish banking giant Santander. Relational Investors LLC this morning filed a petition with the New York Stock Exchange asking that a shareholder vote be required before the deal can move ahead. The request is the centerpiece of a forum Relational Investors is holding in Manhattan at this hour to outline its complaints against Sovereign and its chairman, Jay S. Sidhu. Posted by at 10:36 AM Tim Robbins to star at Zathura's local premiereSEEKONK, Mass. -- Academy Award-winning actor and director Tim Robbins is expected to be on hand at the Showcase Cinemas on Route 6 tonight for the local premiere of Zathura, based on the best-selling children's book by Providence author Chris Van Allsburg. The $250-a-head fundraiser will benefit four local arts charities. The movie opens nationwide Friday. Robbins plays the father of two squabbling brothers who find a magical game that leads them on a space adventure. Come back tomorrow for a story on the premiere, in The Journal and on projo.com Posted by Phil Kukielski at 10:34 AM State police to target dangerous driversNORTH SCITUATE -- The Rhode Island State Police have scheduled an 11:30 a.m. press conference at headquarters to announce new initiatives to crack down on dangerous drivers, particularly speeders, those who drive while intoxicated or who violate traffic laws. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:06 AM Film fest features documentary about Texas teen
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 09:26 AM Slain police officer's mother to testify todayPROVIDENCE -- Leisa Young, the mother of slain Providence Police Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., is scheduled to testify today in U.S. District Court in her civil suit against the city. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:47 AM Newport software company soldNEWPORT -- LiveWave, a hot software company based here, said this morning it has been acquired by Smiths Detection, an international security systems company with offices in New Jersey. No terms were disclosed.
Posted by at 08:12 AM Housing officials respond to energy crisisPROVIDENCE -- Officials from Rhode Island Housing, the agency that offers below-market mortgages to first-time homebuyers, will gather this afternoon in Providence to announce plans to help customers cut their home heating bills this winter. Posted by at 07:54 AM |
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