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« January 2006 | Today | March 2006 » February 28, 2006Laffey offers amnesty in school case -- and a warningCRANSTON -- Mayor Stephen P. Laffey has ordered charges dropped against the Providence woman he had arrested earlier this month for sending her son to school illegally -- and has offered a brief amnesty period to encourage other students improperly in Cranston schools to head back to their home districts. But after March 10, Laffey says that he will prosecute any parents whose children are subsequently found in Cranston schools -- and he’ll be sending Providence the bill for the cost of educating them in Cranston so far. At the same time, Laffey tore into Providence, blaming its "failed system’’ for forcing parents to send students his way, and threatened to have friendly legislators go after Providence’s state aid allocation unless it starts to reimburse Cranston for each student it sends there. Laffey also proposed a school choice system where students in low-performing schools in one city could opt to go to a better-performing school in another, with the bill sent to their home city. Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline declined comment, and Schools Supt. Donnie W. Evans, while contacted, has not responded with comment at this time. -- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi Posted by Jack Perry at 05:21 PM | Comment Fire line was source of Providence water breakPROVIDENCE -- A break in a 16-inch high-pressure fire line was the source of water that flooded parts of Cathedral Square and four nearby buildings this morning. The Water Supply Board said the line, which runs through the city, provides water for emergency services to buildings, such as fire hydrants. The water began pouring from the line before 4 a.m. today, and continued for several hours. It flowed into Cathedral Square, and flooded parts of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence's Chancery building, Grace Church Apartments, Cathedral Square Apartments and Regency Plaza apartments. Much of it was pumped away, and sand was spread. Only one fire hydrant was out of service as a result of the break, and others nearby are enough to cover the area, according to the Water Supply Board. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:09 PM Updated: Judge rules against punitive damages in lead casePROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge today dismissed any punitive damages against three companies found to have created a public nuisance by selling lead paints in Rhode Island. The decision by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein could save the companies billions of dollars since punitive damages are often a mutiple of actual damages. The decision sent financial analysts in the courtroom scurrying to make telephone calls. As a result of a jury's landmark verdict last week holding the companies liable, the companies will have to clean up, or abate, lead paint on an estimated 240,000 homes in the state. That could cost billions of dollars, according to some estimates. Lawyers for the three companies -- Sherwin Williams, NL Industries and Millennium Holdings -- argued against the punitive damages. Paul Michael Pohl, for Sherwin Williams, yesterday said the law is clear -- for punitive damages to be awarded, it has to be shown that a party acted with clear intent to cause harm. Silverstein is expected to rule later on details of an abatement program. -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Jack Perry at 02:48 PM | Comment Judge to rule on punitive damages for lead-paint makersPROVIDENCE -- A judge will announce this afternoon whether former makers of lead paint should be subject to punitive damages after a jury last week found them responsible for creating a public nuisance in Rhode Island. Both sides wrapped up their arguments before Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein today. The lawyers for the three paint companies began their arguments yesterday and finished this morning. They were then followed by lawyers for the state, which brought the landmark suit after thousands of Rhode Island children suffered from lead poisoning. Silverstein is expected to issue his ruling at 2 p.m. If he finds for punitive damages, the jurors who heard the trial will be asked to determine how much. Otherwise, they will be dismissed. Even without the punitive damages, the defendants could be facing a total bill of several billion dollars to clean up, or abate, the lead-based paints found on an estimated 240,000 houses in Rhode Island.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:46 PM Free smoke detectors available for qualified Providence residentsPROVIDENCE -- The city Fire Department will use funding from a federal grant to install smoke detectors in nearly 5,000 homes, Mayor David N. Cicilline announced today. According to the mayor's office, residents interested in having a smoke detector installed in their homes must meet one of several criteria. Mayor Cicilline said the Providence Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau has established the Smoke Detector Hot Line for residents to call and request smoke detectors at (401) 243-6034. The Fire Department received a $127,412 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to expand the department’s fire prevention outreach program and install the smoke detectors, according to Cicilline. Read the mayor's press release. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:03 PM Updated: Water from main break pours into area near cathedral / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- While water has stopped flowing onto Washington Street after a water main break early this morning, it's left its presence behind. Water had poured from the break for several hours, flooding several buildings and prompting officials to close a section of Washington Street. Firefighters started pumping water at 4 a.m. from the Chancery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, which is next to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. -- Journal staff photographer Mary Murphy and Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Water 5 inches deep collected in the plaza in front of the cathedral, while about water about 3 inches deep had flowed into the basement of the Chancery. At the nearby Grace Church apartments, the lobby was flooded with 3 to 4 inches of water, while about nine of the building's 100 units took on a small amount of water. Just one resident was forced to move from her apartment, but she was able to stay with a relative next door. Workers for a property management company in an office on the ground floor of the nearby Cathedral Square Apartments had placed sandbags in front of the doorway and were clearing away water. The company manages the Cathedral Square Apartments and properties in other parts of the country. Workers were especially concerned about protecting computer servers and other network equipment necessary for managing all of the properties. Washington Street had been closed between Greene Street and Service Road earlier today. -- Journal staff photographer Mary Murphy and staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 12:50 PM | Comment Cranston man nabbed after shooting into homeCRANSTON -- A 20-year-old man fired a pistol round into a home on Colwell Street last night, in what was meant to be a warning shot to disperse a group of youths fighting on the street, the police said. The bullet passed through a window of the home at 68 Colwell St. and lodged in an inside wall, the police said. Robert Garrin, of 154 Franklin Ave., was charged with disorderly conduct, shooting in a compact area, and shooting across a highway. He was one of six men and boys charged in connection with the street fight. The police also reported seizing bats, knives, brass knuckles, and a BB gun from the group. The incident is not considered gang-related, the police said. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:40 PM | Comment Citizens earnings rise on acquisitions and growthThe Royal Bank of Scotland Group today reported earnings at its main U.S. subsidiary, Citizens Financial Group Inc. of Providence, rose 46 percent thanks to a major acquisition and strong organic growth. RBS said Citizens' pre-tax contribution to its parent company last year totaled $2.87 billion, up from $1.96 billion in 2004. A big part of the earnings increase resulted from the impact of Citizens' 2004 purchase of Cleveland-based Charter One Bank. Excluding that and other acquisitions, Citizens' earnings in 2005 rose 10 percent over the previous year. The Citizens results are included in the 2005 earnings announced today by The Royal Bank of Scotland. It posted 2005 net income of 5.4 billion pounds, a 16.7-percent gain over last year's 4.6 billion figure. Posted by at 12:02 PM O.A.R. coming to Ryan Center in AprilAlternative rock band O.A.R will return to the University of Rhode Island's Ryan Center on April 21, at 8 p.m., the venue announced late yesterday. Tickets are $30 and go on sale Friday at noon at the Ryan Center box office in Kingston, at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 401-331-2211. Posted by at 11:27 AM Weather service: Snow, rain on the way late tomorrowThe National Weather Service is monitoring a storm that could bring snow and rain into southern New England late Wednesday and Thursday. The storm could drop several inches of snow to parts of the region, but coastal areas could see a change to rain or a mixture of rain, sleet and snow, according to the weather service in Taunton, Mass. The heaviest precipitation should fall Thursday morning and taper off by late in the day, the weather service says in a special weather statement. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:06 AM Tim Hortons to offer shares at $18 to $20 in IPOCanadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons Inc., which bought Rhode Island's Bess Eaton Donut Flour Co in 2004, filed paperwork estimating it will offer 29 million shares in a price range of $18 to $20 per share in its upcoming initial public offering. Wendy's, based in Dublin, Ohio, will continue to own about 85 percent, or around 160 million shares, of Tim Hortons' common stock after the IPO. Tim Hortons has stores located primarily in Rhode Island, New York, Michigan, Ohio and Connecticut. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:32 AM Man allegedly attacks firefighters with sword during rescueWOONSOCKET -- Police in Woonsocket say a sword-wielding man attacked two firefighters who tried to rescue him over the weekend from his smoke-filled apartment. Police say Ferenc Orsos was eventually subdued after police officers shot him four times with a stun gun. Orsos was taken to a hospital for treatment, and police say he's now facing charges. Firefighters responded to a call early Saturday morning that smoke was coming out of Orsos' apartment. Police say Orsos threatened the firefighters, then attacked them. The firefighters were able to escape from the apartment. Police later returned to the apartment, and officers say Orsos threatened them with a cane sword. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:13 AM Arguments on punitive damages continue in lead-paint casePROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge today must decide whether to ask a jury to determine punitive damages against three companies found responsible last week for creating a public nuisance by selling lead-based paints in Rhode Island. The punitive damages would add to what the three companies must pay to clean up, or abate, the lead-based paints found on an estimated 240,000 houses in the state. That cost alone could reach several billion dollars. Lawyers for NL Industries, Sherwin Williams and Millennium Holdings are arguing that the companies should not have to pay punitive damages. After the company lawyers complete their arguments, Judge Michael A. Silverstein will hear from three state lawyers who insist punitive damages are appropriate. Silverstein has told the jury to return to court at 2 p.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 27, 2006Providence board mull pension of employee who embezzled park fundsPROVIDENCE - A hearing that started today will help the city's Retirement Board decide if it should revoke or reduce the pension of a retired Parks Department employee who pleaded no contest to embezzling city money. In August, the Retirement Board appointed lawyer Jennifer S. Sternick to conduct a hearing on Kathleen Parsons' pension. After the hearing process is completed, Sternick will make a recommendation to the board. Parsons, a 19-year city employee who receives a $3,900 monthly check, pleaded no contest in 2004 to stealing about $26,000 from a fund at the Parks Department. She has since repaid the money. The hearing will resume March 13. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 05:03 PM Governor urges CRMC to reject Champlin Marina expansionPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri today called on the Coastal Resources Management Council to reject an application by Champlin’s Realty Associates to dramatically expand its marina at the Great Salt Pond on Block Island. “I fear that expanding Champlin’s Marina will seriously threaten the health of the Great Salt Pond. I am also concerned that it will result in the transfer of a valuable public asset into the hands of a private company,” the governor said in a press release late this afternoon. CRMC is scheduled to hold a public meeting on the proposal tomorrow at 6 p.m. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:00 PM | Comment Arguments over lead-paint suit damages will continuePROVIDENCE -- A judge will continue hearing arguments tomorrow morning on whether three former lead paint makers should have to pay punitive damages. Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein listened to arguments this afternoon from lawyers for the paint makers, and he will hear tomorrow from the state. A jury last week found the three companies -- Sherwin Williams Co., Millennium Holdings and NL Industries -- liable for creating a public nuisance and said they should be ordered to clean up lead paint contamination. At issue now is whether the companies can be punished with damages over and above the cost of cleanup. The jury that reached the verdict was told to return to court at 2 p.m. tomorrow. It had originally been scheduled to come back at 9:30 a.m. -- The Associated Press and Journal staff writer Peter Lord The state says tens of thousands of children in Rhode Island have suffered lead poisoning since the early 1990s and that hundreds of thousands of homes contain lead paint. Rhode Island sued former lead pigment manufacturers in 1999 and is the first state to defeat the companies in court. -- The Associated Press and Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Jack Perry at 04:49 PM Judge to hear arguments on punitive damages in lead paint casePROVIDENCE -- A judge is scheduled to hear arguments this afternoon on whether three former lead paint makers should have to pay punitive damages. A jury last week found the three companies -- Sherwin Williams Co., Millennium Holdings and NL Industries -- liable for creating a public nuisance and said they should be ordered to clean up lead paint contamination. At issue now is whether the companies can be punished with damages over and above the cost of cleanup. The state says tens of thousands of children in Rhode Island have suffered lead poisoning since the early 1990s and that hundreds of thousands of homes contain lead paint. Rhode Island sued former lead pigment manufacturers in 1999 and is the first state to defeat the companies in court. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 02:26 PM Hemenway's a finalist in best-bathroom contestCall it the Toilet Bowl. A bathroom supply company sponsoring an online poll to find America's best bathroom has narrowed the field down to five sparkling-clean, sweet-smelling potties. And the finalists include one in Rhode Island -- Hemenway's Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar in Providence. Sponsored by Cincinnati-based Cintas Corporation, manufacturer of Sanis restroom supplies, the America's Best Restroom contest was started in 2001 to spotlight businesses that maintain exceptional hygiene and stylistic grace in their potties. Nominations can be made by anyone, and about 30 are received annually. "We're definitely pleased," said Chris Phillips, managing partner for the restaurant. Like the quality of the food, the condition of the restrooms speaks to the concern a restaurant has for its customers, according to Phillips. To help make that point, Hemenway's displays flowers in its bathrooms and also stocks them with hand lotions. Prompted by an egg timer, the host staff checks the bathrooms every 15 minutes to make sure they're clean and haven't run out of supplies. A cleaning company comes in weekly to do a more thorough job. Still, the bathrooms don't draw a lot of comments, according to Phillips. He says customers seem to expect it. Cast your vote for the winner here. Posted by Jack Perry at 02:09 PM | Comment Photo: Bundling up against a wintry blast
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:20 PM Warwick crash victim ID'd as East Providence man, 42WARWICK -- The police have released the name of the 42-year-old man who died Friday when he crashed his van head-on into an oak tree near Goddard Memorial State Park. The driver, Jerome Hagy, of East Providence, was alone in the car when it crashed at about 9:45 a.m., Lt. Mark Brandreth said. The head of the traffic division, Lt. Thomas Snow, said investigators still do not know why he drove his blue 1991 Dodge van into the large oak tree. Results from an autopsy performed Saturday have not been released. -- Journal staff writer Benjamin Gedan Posted by Jack Perry at 01:09 PM R.I. gas prices drop for 4th week in rowPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island dropped another 4 cents this week, the fourth week in a row that prices have fallen, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.20 at the self-service pump, which is 21 cents less than it was on Jan. 30, according to AAA's weekly survey. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:05 PM Small fire spreads across 2 Oakland Beach backyardsWARWICK -- A small fire spread across the backyards of two houses in the Oakland Beach neighborhood this morning, Battalion Chief Gary Meegan said. The one-alarm fire apparently sparked around 7:30 a.m. and spread between a cinderblock garage and a large wood shed in adjacent properties on Manning Street, Meegan said. The shed and garage were only a foot apart, separated by a wooden stockade fence that also caught fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire prevention bureau, Meegan said. There were no injuries or damage to the houses. -- Journal staff writer Benjamin Gedan Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:21 PM | Comment R.I. firms can learn about exporting to Central AmericaCRANSTON -- Rhode Island companies can learn about export opportunities to Central America at a conference in Cranston this morning.
U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., is expected to attend. The center is named after his late father, who was a U.S. senator and Rhode Island governor. These countries are part of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, which also includes Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:04 AM Red Cross helps 3 after S. Kingstown fire66 Canterbury Road SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross provided food, shelter and clothing for three adults, including an elderly resident, displaced by a fire last night in South Kingstown, according to a spokeswoman. Volunteers responded to the scene at 66 Canterbury Road last night, according to spokeswoman Angie Moncada. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:03 AM Bitter cold continues to flow over regionPROVIDENCE - Baby, it's still cold outside. With northwest winds blowing and arctic air over New England, the temperature was just 9 degrees in Providence at 5:30 a.m., but the wind made it feel like 7 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. The good news: Today should be the coldest day of the week. The weather service says the temperature should reach 26 degrees today, but northwest winds between 15 and 18 mph will make it feel colder. The temperature should climb steadily, if not dramatically, this week, reaching a high of 38 by Friday. The region could see rain or snow Thursday. Get the latest conditions and forecasts for the region ... Posted by Jack Perry at 09:02 AM National Grid will buy KeySpan for $7.3BLONDON -- British utility National Grid PLC said it agreed to buy Brooklyn-based electricity and natural-gas distributor KeySpan Corp. for $7.3 billion in a deal that would create the third-largest energy delivery utility in the United States. National Grid said today it was paying the $7.3 billion in cash and also taking on debt estimated at $4.5 billion. KeySpan shareholders will receive $42.00 in cash per share. Upon completion of the deal, National Grid will serve nearly 8 million customers in New York state and New England, the companies said. National Grid, which owns and operates Britain's power grid, already has a large presence in the United States. It distributes electricity and natural gas to nearly 4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. KeySpan operates the liquefied natural gas terminaly at the Port of Providence in Rhode Island and is the fifth-largest gas-distribution company in the United States and the largest in the Northeast. I A press conference on the acquisition will be Webcast today at 10 a.m. -- The Associated Press KeySpan operates the power transmission system for the Long Island Power Authority, bringing electricity to more than 1 million customers in New York's Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. KeySpan's shares closed up 32 cents at $41.41 on Friday, near the high end of the stock's 52-week range of $32.66 to $41.52 on the New York Stock Exchange. National Grid's shares rose 1.4 percent in morning trading on the London Stock Exchange to 622 pence ($10.19). The acquisition is to be completed by early next year. National Grid said it expects to deliver $200 million per year in savings. Michael E. Jesanis will continue as president and CEO of National Grid USA. Bob Catell, currently chairman and CEO of KeySpan, will join the National Grid board as deputy chairman and will also become chairman of National Grid USA, National Grid said. "KeySpan is an excellent operational and geographic fit and a natural extension of our business and our strategy," said Roger Urwin, National Grid Group chief executive. "This transaction will deliver significant value to shareholders and customers of both companies," said Catell. "KeySpan will become an important part of one of the largest and most efficient energy delivery companies in the world, and have access to additional financial resources to invest in our energy infrastructure and growth opportunities," Catell said. -- The Associated Press Posted by at 09:00 AM | Comment February 24, 2006High court upholds man's conviction for stabbing ex-girlfriendPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Supreme Court today upheld the conviction of a man who stabbed his former girlfriend at a Providence housing complex for the elderly and disabled. Camillo Lorenzo, now 61, was convicted of four charges, including assault with intent to murder, and was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for stabbing Delphine Garnetto at Pocasset Manor in 2001. The court rejected Lorenzo's argument that Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. should have allowed his lawyer to introduce evidence about Garnetto’s mental health and to cross-examine her about why Lorenzo stabbed her. Lorenzo claimed he acted in self-defense. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick At the time of the attack, Lorenzo and Garnetto were living on the same floor of Pocasset Manor, a high-rise apartment building on Kelly Street in Providence. “After about a year, the liaison ended,” Suttell wrote. “Ms. Garnetto attributed the termination of the relationship to the incompatibility of the couple’s respective medical patches.” -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Jack Perry at 05:28 PM Lynch wants to allow comments on revised Weaver's Cove LNG planPROVIDENCE -- Attorney General Patrick Lynch says he wants to continue the debate over plans to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River, Mass. Lynch today called on the Army Corps of Engineers to reopen the public comment period on the proposed LNG terminal. Lynch says Weaver's Cove is radically altering its proposal -- not merely tweaking it -- and that the public deserves to have the comment period reopened. He says the new plan would result in increased traffic delays and more bridge closures. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:30 PM S. Kingstown man admits to trading crack for gunsPROVIDENCE -- A South Kingstown man has admitted trading crack cocaine for guns. Tyson Ford, 22, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges today in U.S. District Court, Providence. Federal prosecutors say Ford took six handguns from an undercover agent in October and in return provided 13.5 grams of crack cocaine and $500. Ford pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to distributing crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Ford is in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 9. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:18 PM Custer Battles co-founder says he knew little about firm's billingsALEXANDRIA, Va. - The co-founder of a Rhode Island-based defense contractor at the center of a federal whistleblower lawsuit testified today that he knew little about his firm's multimillion-dollar billings for its work in Iraq. "I wasn't involved in the invoicing process ... as the owner of the company, you hire other people to do this," Michael Battles told federal jurors. Two former employees filed a whistleblower suit accusing the company, Custer Battles LLC, of war profiteering and defrauding the government of millions of dollars. Battles, a former Army Ranger and CIA employee who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Rhode Island, appeared self-assured as he was asked about his company's contracts and business dealings in postwar Iraq. "If I had to weigh in before an invoice was submitted, the company would have ground to a halt," he said. Alan Grayson, the attorney for the two whistleblowers, alleged that Battles had "deliberate ignorance and reckless disregard" about Custer Battles' billing practices. -- Associated Press Battles said the Middletown, R.I.-based firm grew rapidly as it took on more work in Iraq. "One thing I learned as lieutenant is that the secret to successful leadership is to surround yourself with people smarter than you are," he said. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:38 PM Jury finds Swain liable in wife's death
Journal file photo
SWAIN, in court earlier this week
PROVIDENCE -- A jury hearing a civil case found today that a Jamestown scuba shop owner killed his wife during a 1999 diving trip in the Caribbean, and it awarded her parents more than $3.5 million in damages. The Superior Court jury found that enough evidence was presented to prove that David Swain, 50, a former Jamestown Town Council member, acted with "malice aforethought" in killing Shelley Tyre, 46, off the island of Tortola. The five women and one man on the jury returned with their verdict at about 11:45 a.m. after deliberating for a little more than three hours over two days. Tyre's parents, Richard and Lisa Tyre of Jamestown, brought the wrongful-death suit against Swain, alleging that Swain killed their daughter for money at a time when he was pursuing a relationship with another woman. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 12:20 PM Driver dies when van hits tree in WarwickWARWICK -- A motorist died this morning in Warwick after driving his van into a tree near 439 Ives Road, the police said. The police did not release the name of the driver. Lt. Mark Brandreth said the driver was alone in the car when it hit a tree at about 9:45 a.m. An accident reconstruction team has been dispatched to the area, near Goddard Memorial State Park. -- Journal staff writer Benjamin Gedan Posted by Jack Perry at 11:48 AM Swain jury signals verdict is imminentPROVIDENCE -- The jury deciding the wrongful-death lawsuit against Jamestown resident David Swain asked the judge a question this morning that indicates it may have already reached a verdict in the case. Jurors late this morning asked Superior Court Judge Patricia Hurst whether a formula exists for determining punitive damages. The jurors nodded at Hurst when she told them that she assumed their question meant they had reached a verdict on the major question at issue in the trial -- whether Swain is liable for his wife's death while diving off the island of Tortola in 1999. She then told the jurors that there is no formula, but they could consider punishment and deterrence in deciding damages. The jurors later told Hurst they did not want sandwiches brought in because they expected to have their decision by 12:30 p.m. They began their deliberations yesterday afternoon. Swain's former in-laws have sued him for wrongful death in the March 1999 death of their daughter, Shelley Tyre. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney.
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:41 AM R.I. co-founder of Custer Battles expected to testify todayALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Michael Battles, the co-founder of war contractor Custer Battles, was expected to testify today in the federal whistleblower lawsuit brought against the Middletown, R.I. -based firm. Two former business associates charged in a civil lawsuit that officials of the firm filed false claims for some of the millions of dollars they made from the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority, which ran the first efforts to secure and rebuild Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Company cofounders Scott Custer, 37, of Virginia, and Battles, 35, a former Rhode Islander who made an unsuccessful bid for Congress, have denied the accusations, as has their former employee and codefendant, Joseph Morris, 43, of Connecticut. -- With Associated Press and Journal reports Posted by Jack Perry at 11:30 AM 2 Newport mansions named national historic landmarksNEWPORT -- Two well-known Newport mansions are being named National Historic Landmarks. Chateau-sur-Mer and Marble House have been granted the honor. Both mansions are among those owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County, which opens them to visitors. This afternoon, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., will announce the designation, which allows the properties to get federal funding and tax breaks. --The Associated Press The Victorian Chateau-sur-Mer was built in 1852 and later redesigned by architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was owned by a former Rhode Island governor and U.S. senator, George Peabody Wetmore, and was acquired by the Preservation Society in 1969. Marble House was a summer home for the Vanderbilt family and also designed by Hunt. The Preservation Society bought the house in 1963. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:59 AM R.I.'s own take to the ice tonight in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- Tonight could mark your last chance to see Rhode Island's own "Olympians" speeding across an ice rink -- in lounge chairs. The Down City Olympic Winter Fest holds its final competitions from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Bank of America City Center in Providence. Tonight's events at the Kennedy Plaza rink include a figure skating exhibition, speed skating finals, toboggan race finals, biathlon race finals and the Cardi’s Furniture chair race finals. They'll be followed by a medals presentation. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:52 AM National Grid in talks to buy KeySpanNational Grid Plc., owner of Rhode Island's electric utility, confirmed that it is has been in discussions to purchase KeySpan Corp., the biggest natural-gas seller in the Northeast and the owner of the liquefied natural gas terminal at the Port of Providence. National Grid, which is based in the United Kingdom, earlier this month agreed to buy the Rhode Island operations of New England Gas Co. from Southern Union for $498 million in cash and $77 million in debt. Keyspan distributes gas to 2.6 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that National Grid offered $42 per share, compared with Keyspan's closing share price of $41.09 yesterday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Consolidated Energy, a utility that Serves New York City, had also approached Keyspan about buying it. -- With reports from Bloomberg News and Journal staff Posted by Jack Perry at 10:34 AM Reed hosts Medicare forumPAWTUCKET -- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is hosting a forum this morning on a Medicare prescription drug program he opposed. The forum in Pawtucket will include elected officials, advocates for senior citizens and drug providers. A spokeswoman for Reed says the Rhode Island Democrat opposed the new Medicare benefit program due to concerns over its complexity and other issues. The plan has been plagued with problems since it was introduced in January. Rhode Island authorities created an emergency program to fill about 2,000 prescriptions for Medicare patients who qualified for the benefit but couldn't get their prescriptions filled. State officials have asked the federal government for reimbursement. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:12 AM Weather service warns of high windsPROVIDENCE -- The National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., has issued a high wind warning for much of southern New England, including all of Rhode Island, northern Connecticut and all but the northwest corner of Massachusetts. A strong cold front will move across the region this morning, bringing scattered snow showers and 30 mph northwest winds with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, according to the weather service. A gale warning has been posted for all coastal waters from this afternoon through this evening, the weather service says. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 23, 2006Pre-trial conference for Derderians held in chambersPROVIDENCE - Lawyers for the state and Station nightclub owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian met today with Superior Court Judge Francis Darigan in a previously scheduled pretrial conference. The meeting was in Darigan's chambers, and the judge did not make an announcement about the results of the meeting in open court. The Derderians face 200 counts of manslaughter each for the nightclub fire that killed 100 and injured more than 200 on Feb. 20, 2003. -- Journal staff writer Tracy Breton Posted by Jack Perry at 05:30 PM Report: Pats let franchise tag for Vinatieri passA Patriots Football Weekly story posted on the New England Patriots Web site reports that the team had declined to use its franchise tag on kicker Adam Vinatieri or any other player before today's 4 p.m. deadline. That means Vinatieri, wide receiver David Givens and the team's other unrestricted free agents will become free agents unless they agree to contracts before March 3. Journal sports writer Tom Curran reported today that the team wasn't likely to use the francise tag on Vinatieri because it would have required them to pay the Super Bowl-winning kicker $3.01 million. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:16 PM Jury begins deliberating in Swain casePROVIDENCE - A Superior Court jury this afternoon began deliberating a wrongful death lawsuit against a Jamestown man accused by his in-laws of killing his wife during a diving trip in the Caribbean. After hearing closing arguments from the plaintiff's attorney and defendant David Swain, who is acting as his own attorney, the jury began its discussions at 3:13 p.m. and concluded at 4 p.m. The jurors are scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Swain's wife, Shelley Tyre, 46, died in March 1999 during a diving trip off the Caribbean island of Tortola. Tortola authorities ruled the death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney In his closing argument, J. Renn Olenn, the lawyer representing Tyre's parents, claimed that Swain had gotten away with murder on Tortola, and he urged the jurors not to let him get away from them. He claimed that evidence he presented at trial, including testimony from the chief medical examiner Florida's Miam-Dade County, proved that Swain went into the water with his wife and attacked her from behind, then surfaced quickly because he had run out of air from the struggle. Swain, a former member of the Jamestown town council, reminded the jurors that he had never been charged with a crime and asked why the chief medical examiner in Miami hadn't contacted authorities in Tortola if the medical examiner was so convinced that he had killed his wife. He said the death of "the wife I so loved" was a loss for all. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 04:45 PM Carcieri applauds regional approach to LNG sitingGovernor Carcieri today applauded New England legislators who are urging a regional approach to the siting of liquified natural gas terminals. Carcieri has opposed the siting of LNG terminals in Providence and Fall River, Mass., because of what he considers safety, security, and environmental risks to residents of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. On Dec. 16, Carcieri suggested the need for a regional approach to LNG in a letter to other New England governors. “A regional approach is the best way to balance our increased energy needs with environmental, safety, security, and cost considerations," said in a press release today. Rhode Island's two congressmen, James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy, both Demcorats, were among those who signed a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman urging a regional effort. Carcieri says he first raised the issue of a regional approach to siting LNG terminals in 2004, has since met with premiers from Eastern Canada and is engaged in ongoing discussions. He says LNG facilities under construction in eastern Canada will expand the natural gas supply "while avoiding the dangers of siting these terminals in densely-populated areas along Narragansett Bay and in similar areas throughout New England." Posted by Jack Perry at 04:23 PM Looks like Ramirez wants to stay in BostonFORT MYERS, Fla. -- In good news for Red Sox fans, developments today indicate that slugger Manny Ramirez no longer wants to be traded and isn't going to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The team's principal owner John Henry, speaking to reporters at the team's spring training base in Fort Myers, said, "We want to support the World Baseball Classic, but it's a plus he's coming here on March 1 and not playing in that.'' As long as Ramirez doesn't change his mind, that means he will be in spring training with the Red Sox beginning Wednesday. Henry refused to comment on whether Ramirez was still demanding a trade. But former Yankee Enrique Wilson, a good friend of Ramirez's who is in Red Sox camp as a non-roster invitee, said that Ramirez had recently told him he wanted to play in Boston. -- Journal sports writer Steven Krasner Find a complete report on the news out of Red Sox spring training every day in The Journal and on projo.com... Posted by Jack Perry at 03:12 PM Dress rehearsal for J.C. Penney opening at Providence Place / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- J.C. Penney quietly opened the doors of its new store in Providence Place mall at midweek, in advance of tomorrow's grand opening. The mid-priced department store replaces a Lord & Taylor outlet that closed last June. About half the goods in the three-level J.C. Penney outlet will be private-label brands the Texas company markets to shoppers in four "lifestyle" categories. More about the opening in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com... Posted by Dealhawk at 03:06 PM Rumford woman pockets $667,142 PowerBall prizeCRANSTON -- A PowerBall prize of $667,142 from last Saturday's big drawing was claimed this morning by a Rumford woman, who bought the winning number at Columbus Mini Mart in Pawtucket with four quarters. The Rhode Island Lottery did not identify the woman, saying she had requested no publicity. But in a press release, the lottery said she had bought a single quick-pick ticket at the Pawtucket store. She had played four tickets in total, each from a different retailer, hoping it would better her odds. The last stop proved to be the one worth her while. According to the press release, she jokingly asked the counter attendant if he minded the change. His reply: “Hey, it only takes one.” The woman said she had known she was a winner since Sunday but only came forward today because "she did not want to take the time off of work." The ticket was the largest prizewinner sold at a Rhode Island from last Saturday's record PowerBall jackpot drawing. The top prize of $365 million was claimed by eight co-workers in Nebraska. Several other prizes in Rhode Island were still outstanding as of yesterday, according to the lottery.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:35 PM | Comment Study: R.I. households served by food bank on riseAn increasing number of working Rhode Islanders are turning to food pantries and soup kitchens for help, according to a study released today. Thirty-two percent of the households served by Rhode Island's food bank network last year had at least one or more working adults, according to Hunger in America 2006, a national and local study on charitable response to hunger. That's an increase from 29 percent in 2001 and 25 percent in 1997, according to the report. The report "points to a huge gap in government assistance to the near poor and the working poor," said Bernie Beaudreau, executive director of the Rhode Island Food Bank. Many of the people who turn to Rhode Island's network of food pantries and soup kitchens don't qualify for public assistance, but still find themselves having to choose between eating and paying the rent, utilities or buying medicine, according to the study. "The standard for public assistance programs is so low that many people are still in dire straits even if they're a little above poverty," Beaudreau said. The Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of member agencies serves 62,324 people annually, more than 6 percent of Rhode Island's population. The report concludes that "the growth of hunger in Rhode Island and in America continues to outpace private charitable responses." Posted by Jack Perry at 02:03 PM New England lawmakers call for regional approach to LNG sitingWASHINGTON -- New England lawmakers are calling for a new regional approach to siting onshore liquefied natural gas facilities. The congressmen, who are seeking a meeting with Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, said today the current project-by-project review of proposed LNG facilities by federal regulators is not good for New England. "We believe that this ad hoc approach is unsuitable for New England and that a more comprehensive and regional approach is required," wrote the lawmakers in a letter to Bodman. U.S. Reps. James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy, both Rhode Island Democrats, are among those who signed the letter. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:57 AM Slippery roads in the forecastPROVIDENCE - The National Weather Service has issued a special weather warning that rain and snow late this morning and early this afternoon could make roads slippery in southern New England. The Providence area should see rain showers, but inland areas and higher elevations such as the Worcester hills in Massachusetts and the Interstate 84 corridor from Vernon and Union, Conn., to Sturbridge, Mass., could see an inch or two of snow fall quickly this afternoon as temperatures drop.
Posted by Jack Perry at 09:58 AM Flower show begins today in ProvidencePROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show begins at 10 this morning at the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street, Providence. The show runs through Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults and $7 for children age 6 to 12. Check out the flower show's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:09 AM R.I. Food Bank to announce results of hunger studyPROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Food Bank has scheduled a press conference this morning with U.S. Reps. James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy to announce the results of hunger study, "Hunger in America 2006." The press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the food bank in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 22, 2006Governor apologizes for Kass e-mail commentsPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri apologized today for language his communications director used in an e-mail sent to a local GOP leader. Steve Kass, the communications director, sent the e-mail after David Quiroa had criticized the governor's budget plan to save $4 million by eliminating an estimated 3,000 undocumented children from RIte Care, the state's Medicaid program for low-income families. Quiroa, a Latino who is the Newport GOP chairman, complained on several online discussion groups that Carcieri is "insenstitive to all minorities." He added, "Although the official name of the state is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -- We are not a Plantation!" Kass, a former talk-show host, wrote in response, "Speaking for myself, I would suggest that all proud Latino-American Republicans like Mr. Quiroa, should step up to the plate, say thank you for all the support they have been given by Rhode Island taxpayers, and then start a fundraising effort to assist those that do live on a plantation until our finances improve. I would be glad to make a contribution. Please tell me where to send the check." Although he said he was writing for himself, Kass used his State House e-mail address and signed it, "Steve Kass, Communications Director, Office of the Governor." Carcieri's statement said in part, “While I stand by Steve Kass’s efforts to defend my record from Mr. Quiroa’s offensive statements, I disagree with some of the language he used to explain my positions. I have made it clear to Steve that, as government officials, we should always avoid using sarcastic language that may be subject to misinterpretation.” “It was never Steve’s intention or mine to cause offense to anyone. And I apologize to any Rhode Islander who was offended by Steve’s statement.” The exchange generated a story in The Providence Journal and was the topic of discussion today on Rhode Island radio talk shows. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:30 PM Powerball prizes still to be claimed in R.I.So the record Powerball jackpot didn’t go to a Rhode Islander. But it doesn’t mean that everybody who bought a ticket here was a loser. Most were, but four lucky gamblers won $10,000 -- and one person hit a $667,142 payout for a ticket purchased at Columbus Mini Mart in Pawtucket. That big prize has yet to be claimed along with two of the $10,000 winners which were sold at the Newport Ave Gold Mart and the Liquor Shoppe on Broad Street, both also in Pawtucket. Eight workers at a Nebraska meatpacking plant stepped forward yesterday to claim the single winning ticket to the $365 million PowerBall jackpot. In addition to this Saturday’s Powerball, there are still several winning tickets, some worth up to $10,000, that were purchased in Rhode Island stores in the last six months but have yet to be claimed. -- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz Those prizes are: -$5,000 for a July, 27, 2005 drawing, purchased at New England Liquors, 500 Cranston St., Providence -$10,000 for a Nov., 19, 2005 drawing, purchased at Colbea Enterprises, 2025 Post Rd., Warwick -$10,000 for a Dec., 31, 2005 drawing, purchased at Joyal’s Liquors, 90 West Warwick Ave., West Warwick -$10,000 for a Dec., 31, 2005 drawing, purchased at Cumberland Farms, Main Road, Tiverton -$10,000 for a Feb. 4 drawing, purchased at Manville Road General, 37 Manville Rd., Woonsocket -$10,000 for a Feb. 8 drawing, purchased at Coventry Discount Wine & Liquor, 600 Washington St., Coventry -$10,000 for a Feb. 15 drawing, purchased at 7-Eleven, 10 Dorrance St., Providence Archives for the past twelve months of drawings can be found RILOT.com -- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:08 PM Swain calls daughter as his sole witness in wrongful-death suitPROVIDENCE - Jurors deciding a wrongful-death lawsuit should hear directly from the defendant tomorrow when he tries to sway them with a closing argument. The trial took an unusual twist today when defendant David Swain of Jamestown decided to act as his own lawyer, addressed the jury in an opening statement, then presented his first and only witness, his 30-year-old daughter, Jennifer Swain. Until today, the Superior Court jury, which has been hearing the case for a week, had seen Swain only in a videotaped deposition taken two years ago. He had previously chosen not to sit through testimony and challenge it, either with an attorney or himself acting as an attorney. Swain's wife, Shelley Tyre, 46, died in March 1999 during a diving trip off the Caribbean island of Tortola. Tortola authorities ruled the death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. Swain was subpoenaed to testify this morning, but the plaintiff's attorney, J. Renn Olenn, decided against calling him to the stand. Instead, Swain, wearing a suit and tie but not socks, gave jurors an opening statement and presented his witness. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Swain, who was on the dive with his wife, is being sued for wrongful death by her parents. Jennifer Swain, who was Shelley Tyre's stepdaughter, testified about a meeting with the Tyre family a few days after Shelley Tyre's death. She said the meeting was heated and emotional over the "sticking point" that David Swain was not by his wife's side when she died, but the meeting eventually took a more civil tone. Closing arguments are scheduled for 12:45 p.m. tomorrow. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 04:59 PM Updated: Pats' Brady has hernia surgeryNew England Patriots star Tom Brady, who had been coping with a hernia, had surgery to repair it last week. And he's already out on the golf course, though he joked with reporters at a tournament in Miami yesterday that he had to take it easy on hard swings. The Patriots confirmed Brady had an operation, but did not provide details. Citing an injury, Brady did not play in the NFL Pro Bowl on Feb. 12. He was at the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Detroit, where he conducted the opening coin toss. -- With reports from Journal sportswriter Tom Curran and the Associated Press Posted by at 04:02 PM Naked motorist hits car, then truck on Providence street / Photo
PROVIDENCE - The city police say a naked man was seen walking along North Main Street before he jumped into a car, sped south along the street, sideswiped a car and rear-ended a pickup truck, seriously injuring the driver. The man hit the first vehicle near Cemetery Street, then struck the pickup truck, which was stopped at a red light at Rochambeau, according to the police. The naked man faces several charges, according to the police, who were still investigating late this afternoon. The police believe he was driving more than 50 mph on the heavily traveled road. The accident happened shortly after noon. Police officers were still on the scene at 3 p.m. rerouting traffic. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith The driver of the pickup truck was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries, according to the police. His dog was in the truck with him and was taken to an animal hospital for minor injuries. The naked man suffered minor injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital. He tried running away but was captured by the police. None of the names those involved were released as of late this afternoon. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 03:56 PM Updated: Girl, 11, critical after Johnston fire truck, car collide / Photo
JOHNSTON - An 11-year-old Johnston girl was in critical condition at Hasbro Children's Hospital today after a car and a fire engine collided this morning at Atwood and Hartford Avenues. The fire engine, heading south on Atwood, was responding to an alarm and traveling with its lights and siren activated, according to the police. The fire engine is equipped with a device that automatically sends a signal changing the traffic light in front of it to green, while changing the light in the other direction to red, according to Deputy Police Chief Gary Maddocks Jr. He said the device was working. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley The front of the fire truck collided with the right side of the car, an Acura Integra, in the middle of the intersection, pushing the car to the corner of the intersection. The girl was sitting in the front passenger's seat. Indell was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, although a witness said she was able to get out of the car on her own. Indell was identified as a town worker. A co-worker said she had taken the day off to be with her daughter, who is on school vacation. None of the firefighters was injured. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Jack Perry at 03:21 PM Jury: 3 former paintmakers created lead-paint nuisancePROVIDENCE -- A jury has decided that three former makers of lead paint created a public nuisance that contiues to poison children, a ruling that means they could be held responsible for millions of dollars in cleanup and mitgiation costs. The verdict sides with the state in its landmark trial against four paint companies. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:58 AM | Comment Jury in lead-paint case has reached verdictPROVIDENCE -- The jury in the state's landmark lawsuit against lead-paint companies has reached a verdict and is returning to the courtroom. The verdict is expected to be read shortly. Jurors began deliberating on Feb. 13. They've been asked to decide whether four companies that used to make lead pigment for paint are responsible for creating a public nuisance that continues to poison children. It is the second time the state has taken its case to court. The first attempt ended in a mistrial. More to come on projo.com ...
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:45 AM Swain: Plaintiff's account of wife's diving death a "fabrication"PROVIDENCE -- The Jamestown man accused in a wrongful-death lawsuit of killing his wife acted as his own lawyer this morning, addressing the jury with an opening statement. David Swain was subpoenaed into court today, but he did not take the witness stand. Instead, after an hour-long chambers conference with the judge and opposing attorney, he addressed the jury, calling the plaintiff's account of the diving trip that claimed his wife's life "a fabrication." Shelley Tyre, 46, died in March 1999 during a diving trip off the Caribbean island of Tortola. Tortola authorities ruled the death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. But his former in-laws filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him. Swain told the jurors that he has suffered as a result of his wife's death in 1999 and charged that the plaintiff's attorney, J. Renn Olenn, had to go back 30 years to find something sordid in his past: his mother's murder at his brother's hand. Swain also said he plans to call his daughter as a witness this afternoon. He asked for the jury's indulgence, saying he's not a lawyer: "I'm begging you to keep an open mind." This is the first time the jury has gotten to see Swain in person. Earlier this week, they saw him speak in a videotaped deposition. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 11:40 AM Johnston fire engine, car collide at intersectionJOHNSTON -- A Johnston fire engine and a car collided at the intersection of Atwood and Hartford Avenues at about 10:30 this morning. The driver of the car, an Acura, was able to get out of the vehicle unassisted, but the passenger had to be helped out by rescue personnel and was taken away in an ambulance. The collision caused heavy damage to the right side of the car and the front of the fire engine. The Johnston police were on scene investigating. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Jack Perry at 11:37 AM | Comment Jurors continue deliberating in lead-paint lawsuitPROVIDENCE -- Jury deliberations are continuing today in the state's lawsuit against former lead paint manufacturers. The six-person jury has been meeting for more than a week to try to decide whether four companies are responsible for creating a public nuisance that continues to poison children. Jurors got the case on February 13th and have been deliberating ever since. Lawyers for the state presented historians, doctors and contractors to persuade jurors that the companies knew about the hazards and tried to hide them. But the companies say the state did not show a definitive link between lead poisoning in children and the products they made. A 2002 trial in the case ended in a hung jury after four days of jury deliberations. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:40 AM Pope names former Fall River bishop a cardinal
 Journal file photo Bishop Sean O'Malley at a peace Mass last October in Fall River. BOSTON -- Boston's Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, appointed almost three years ago to bring healing to a Roman Catholic community rocked by the clergy abuse scandal, was named a cardinal today by Pope Benedict XVI. O'Malley, former bishop of Fall River, was among 15 new cardinals named by the pope, and one of two Americans in the group. Benedict also said his successor at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop William Levada, would be a cardinal. The men will be elevated during a ceremony at the Vatican on March 24. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 08:59 AM Following chase, Mass. police arrest two on warrantsMIDDLEBORO, Mass., -- A state trooper waded into the Taunton River yesterday to fish out a suspect who was trying to escape from police. It all started when police stopped a car on Route 495 in Middleboro yesterday upon learning that 30-year-old Richard Bembery was a passenger in the car. Bembery was wanted on outstanding warrants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Police say Bembery took off in the direction of the river with officers in pursuit. Trooper Joseph Baker found the suspect in the river, holding on to brush along the edge, too cold and tired to pull himself out. Baker donned a dry-suit -- designed for cold water -- dragged Bembery out of the water and arrested him. Police say they found $550,000 in cash, a handgun and more than 200 grams of what they believe is cocaine. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 08:53 AM February 21, 2006Judge orders Swain to take stand tomorrowPROVIDENCE - A Superior Court judge has ordered David Swain of Jamestown to testify tomorrow morning in the wrongful-death lawsuit brought against him for the March 1999 diving death of his wife. Judge Patricia A. Hurst this afternoon ruled against Swain's motions to dismiss the case and to quash the subpoena for his testimony. Swain was at the courthouse this afternoon, meeting with Hurst and the attorney for the plaintiff, J. Renn Olenn, and without a lawyer himself, in the judge's chambers for well over an hour. He was also later in the courtroom, but sitting stoically as Hurst announced her decision on his motions. The jury was not in the courtroom at that time.
Swain is accused in a lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 05:28 PM Fall River shooting victims upgraded to good conditionFALL RIVER, Mass. -- The three men shot outside a local McDonald's early Sunday were listed in good condition this afternoon at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Two had previously been listed as critical, with the third in serious condition. Earlier today, a District Court judge set bail at $150,000 cash today for each of the two suspects captured in connection with the shootings. Two other suspects, including the alleged shooter, remain at large. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:15 PM Jury calls it a day -- again -- in lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE -- Jurors in the state's lawsuit against lead paint makers have concluded their deliberations for the day, again without reaching a verdict. They deliberated all day without a question. The case went to the jury late on Feb. 13, after 15 weeks of trial. The state contends that four companies -- Sherwin Williams, Millennium Holdings LLC, Atlantic Richfield and NL Industries -- created a public nuisance by marketing the lead-paint pigments that helped poison more than 37,000 Rhode Island children during the last 11 years. The jury has been asked to decide whether the presence of lead paint in Rhode Island is a public nuisance, if the defendants are liable, and whether they should be required to clean it up. -- With reports from Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Jack Perry at 04:52 PM 2 men held in Fall River shootings, 2 more soughtFALL RIVER, Mass. - Two men charged in connection with the shooting of three other men at a Fall River McDonald's Sunday morning were ordered held on $150,000 cash bail during their arraignments this afternoon in Fall River District Court. Antero M. Pontes, 17, of 28 Platt St., and Adam. C. Woods, 19, of 183 George St., pleaded innocent to three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. The police are still looking for a 22-year-old Fall River man and a 16-year-old city juvenile in connection with the shootings. The police said the victims were waiting to purchase food shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday morning at the Plymouth Avenue restaurant when an argument occurred with people in two other automobiles. All the parties left their cars; one man had a handgun, the police said. The police have not said which of the suspects was believed to be the gunman. The three victims are a 25-year-old New Bedford man, a 32-year-old Fall River man and a 32-year-old New Bedford man. Two of the victims were still in critical condition today at Rhode Island Hospital, while a third has been upgraded to serious. The police have not released their names. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Posted by Jack Perry at 04:23 PM Lawyer plans to sue state over ACI inmate's treatmentCRANSTON -- A Cranston attorney says he plans to file a lawsuit on behalf of an inmate at the Adult Correctional Institutions who claims that he was abused by correctional officers. Eight prison staff members have been suspended over allegations that several of them "abused and seriously mistreated" the inmate in the ACI's minimum-security unit, according to the state Department of Corrections. On Friday, ACI Director A.T. Wall said nine staff members had been suspended, but a department official said today that one has since been put back to work. Cranston attorney Kenneth Schreiber identified the inmate today as Michael Walsh, 30, of East Providence, and said he plans to seek unspecified monetary damages in the lawsuit, claiming that Walsh's civil rights were violated. He plans to name the state of Rhode Island and the state Department of Corrections as defendants. -- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault Schreiber said he might also pursue criminal charges depending on the results of a criminal investigation by the Rhode Island State Police. A little-used state law allows citizens to filed criminal complaints, he said during a press conference at his office this afternoon. Schreiber says his client was forced to eat his own fecal matter and also struck in the face with a telephone book after he was confronted about smuggling cigarettes Feb. 14. Walsh is serving time at the ACI as a probation offender and is due to be released in May, according to Schreiber. -- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault Posted by Jack Perry at 03:57 PM Red Sox will let Ramirez report lateFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Manny Ramirez was given permission by the Boston Red Sox to report to spring training on March 1, six days after the team's first full-squad workout and one day after Major League Baseball's mandatory reporting date. Ramirez, 33, asked the team through his agent to trade him during the off season, but the Red Sox were unable to find a deal to their liking. "Manny is in Florida completing an extensive training regimen and is prepared to have an exceptional season," said a joint statement from Ramirez and the team that was released by the Red Sox today. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 01:45 PM | Comment Lawyer in deposition questions Swain's accounts of wife's deathPROVIDENCE -- The lawyer pressing a wrongful-death lawsuit against Jamestown resident David Swain suggests in a deposition that Swain told the police in Tortola a different version of events about his wife's fatal dive than he gave during the deposition. The issue concerns whether Swain swam away from his wife, Shelley Tyre, or she swam away from him before she was found dead during the dive off Tortola in March 1999. Early in court today, jurors watched more of a videotaped deposition by Swain two years ago. In the deposition, lawyer J. Renn Olenn questioned Swain about his statement to the police in Tortola hours after his wife's body was pulled from the water. Olenn suggested that Swain had told the police in Tortola that she had swam away from him during a dive on two tugboat wrecks, and that he went looking for her in the shallow water by the reef. But in the deposition, Swain said it was he who had swam away from his wife to take photographs while she stayed by the wrecks.
During the deposition, Swain and Olenn quarrelled over the meaning of this quote: "After I looked up for a few minutes, I decided to go to shallow water to try to locate her." Olenn said an interpretation of that meant Swain was the one who swam away. Swain disagreed, saying that was Olenn's interpretation. Swain then questioned the accuracy of the police reporter who was taking his statement that day, "I didn't write this." Olenn reminded Swain that he had initialed every page of the police report and signed it at the end as being accurate. Swain said, "I was stressed. I was at wit's end. I don't know what I did." Tortola authorities ruled Tyre's death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. But Swain is accused of killing Tyre in a lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre. Swain has not been in court for the trial, but he was subpoenaed to appear this afternoon -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 01:28 PM Swain, accused in civil suit of killing wife, to be in court todayPROVIDENCE -- The Jamestown man charged in a civil suit with killing his wife is scheduled to be in Superior Court at 1:15 p.m. today. David Swain has not been in court for the trial, which stems from a wrongful-death lawsuit, but he was subpoenaed to appear today. Whether he will testify is unclear. The judge ordered the jury to return at 1:45 p.m. Swain has so far chosen not to attend the trial, although jurors heard him speak about his wife's diving death in a videotaped deposition shown in court yesterday. Shelley Tyre, 46, died in March of 1999 during a diving trip off the Caribbean island of Tortola. Tortola authorities ruled the death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. Swain is accused in a lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by Jack Perry at 01:09 PM Burrillville High student accused of sexually assaulting 5 teen girlsBURRILLVILLE -- A 15-year-old Burrillville High School male student is being held after being arrested yesterday morning on 14 sexual-assault charges against five teenage girls, police said today. Most of the incidents are alleged to have happened on school grounds. The boy turned himself in to the police station at 10 a.m. yesterday after police called his home and told him that a warrant for his arrest had been secured, according to Police Lt. Kevin S. San Antonio. He was charged at the police station with one count of first-degree sexual assault, or rape; 11 counts of second-degree sexual assault, and one count of assault with intent to commit sexual assault. He was arraigned Monday in Family Court, according to the police. After receiving reports from Burrillville school administrators, the school resource officer and detectives began to investigate the allegations against the boy. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley San Antonio described the 11 counts of second-degree sexual assault as incidents of unwanted sexual touching that occurred in public on school grounds. Police said the alleged victims are three 14-year-old girls and two 15-year-old girls. One of the 14-year-olds is also allegedly the victim of the first-degree sexual assault, San Antonio said. The suspect will be held at the Rhode Island Training School until Monday, Feb. 27, when he is scheduled to appear in court for a probable-cause hearing. San Antonio said detectives are still investigating complaints against the boy. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:03 PM Free career fair today at Crowne Plaza in WarwickWARWICK -- A free Finance and Insurance Career Fair opened today at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Sponsored by The Providence Journal, it is open until 5 p.m. today. Finance and insurance job-seekers are encouraged to bring a hard copy of their resume for free distribution to all participating companies and for immediate posting on projo.com’s Resume Center. Click here for a list of the fair's exhibitors. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:13 PM 2 men found murdered in Olneyville / Photo
Both men appear to be in their 20s, but the police have not yet positively determined their identities, according to Providence Det. Maj. Stephen Campbell, speaking from the scene. The police found one of the men in the front passenger seat of a Pontiac Grand Am on Magnolia Street, Campbell said. The other man was found about 175 feet away, on the sidewalk at Agnes and Magnolia Street, Campbell said. The police were contacted at 7:30 a.m. by a passerby, according to Campbell. The car has Rhode Island plates, and the police believe that the victims are from Rhode Island. Anyone with information should contact the Providence police at (401) 243-6406. -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Mary Murphy Posted by Jack Perry at 10:01 AM Providence police investigating apparent shooting in OlneyvillePROVIDENCE - The Providence police this morning are investigating an apparent shooting in Olneyville. The state Medical Examiner's Office took two bodies from the scene, near Agnes and Atwood streets, at about 9:25 a.m. A police detective lieutenant was scheduled to address the media this morning. -- Journal staff photographer Mary Murphy Posted by Jack Perry at 09:29 AM Defendant in wrongful death lawsuit subpoenaed to testify todayPROVIDENCE -- The Jamestown man accused in a wrongful-death lawsuit of killing his wife has been subpoenaed to testify today at the trial in Superior Court. David Swain has so far chosen not to attend the civil trial, although jurors heard him speak about his wife's diving death in a deposition played for them yesterday. Shelley Tyre, 46, died in March of 1999 during a diving trip off the Caribbean island of Tortola. Tortola authorities ruled the death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. Swain is accused in a lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:14 AM Jurors continue deliberations in lead paint lawsuitPROVIDENCE -- Deliberations are expected to resume this morning in the state's lawsuit against companies that made lead paint and pigment. Jurors are scheduled to be back at work at 9:30 a.m. They met for about four hours yesterday as they began week two of deliberations. Lead paint has poisoned thousands of children in the Rhode Island, and the state contends the four companies created a public nuisance with their products. -- The Associated Press State's lawyers presented historians, doctors and contractors to try to persuade jurors that the companies knew about the hazards and tried to hide them. But the companies say the state did not show a definitive link between lead poisoning in children and the products they made. A 2002 trial in the case ended in a hung jury after four days of deliberations. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 20, 2006Argument over minor car accident escalates to stabbingA Framingham, Mass., man was stabbed early yesterday morning after a minor car accident in a downtown parking lot, according to a police report. Christian Alexandre de Oliveira, 25, was stabbed in the chest, apparently with a broken beer bottle, while sitting in the front passenger seat of a car leaving a parking lot on Washington Street, according to a police report. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where police said yesterday he was in critical condition. But late this afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said she could not find information on anyone by that name.
The driver of the car, Jose Da Silva, told the police that he, de Oliveira and another man, Erik Cordeiro-Bragnaca, had been at Club Diesel on Washington Street until about 2 a.m. yesterday. As they were trying to leave a nearby parking lot to drive onto Mathewson Street, their car bumped the rear bumper of another car, Da Silva told the police. An argument followed involving the occupants of the car and several males walking behind the car, according to the police report. During the argument, one of the men opened the car door and stabbed de Oliveira, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, according to Cordeiro-Bragnaca. DaSilva drove the victim to a fire station on Branch Avenue, where an ambulance took de Oliveira to Rhode Island Hospital, according to the report. The report did not indicate that anybody had been charged with the stabbing. Last month, an 18-year-old Johnston man was stabbed in the neck with a beer bottle after he and several friends left Club Diesel. The stabbing followed an argument and occurred in a parking lot off Fountain Street, owned by The Providence Journal. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 05:20 PM Jurors in lead trial wrap up again without verdictPROVIDENCE - Jurors have gone home for the day in the state's lawsuit against companies that made lead paint and pigment. Jurors deliberated for about four hours this afternoon, after beginning deliberations a week ago today. They are expected back at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Lead paint has poisoned thousands of children in the Rhode Island, and the state contends the four companies created a public nuisance with their products. State's lawyers presented historians, doctors and contractors to try to persuade jurors that the companies knew about the hazards and tried to hide them. But the companies say the state did not show a definitive link between lead poisoning in children and the products they made. A 2002 trial in the case ended in a hung jury after four days of deliberations. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:37 PM Photo: Swain gives deposition by videotape
Posted by Jack Perry at 03:48 PM Photo: Saying prayers for Station fire victims
Joyce Buontempo, of West Warwick, was among those who stopped by site of The Station nightclub fire today, on the third anniversary of the blaze. Buontempo was saying prayers at each memorial marker at the location on Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick, where 100 people died and more than 200 were injured in the fire started by a band's pyrotechnics. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:41 PM R.I. gas prices down againPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have fallen 8t more cents this week, the third straight week prices have dropped, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.24 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. This marks the first time prices have dropped three straight weeks since November. The price has fallen 17 cents in the past three weeks. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:17 PM | Comment 2 arrested, 2 sought in shootings at Fall River McDonald'sFALL RIVER, Mass. -- Two men have been arrested and two more are being sought in the shooting of three men early Sunday morning following an argument in the drive-thru of a McDonald's restaurant, the police said. Antero M. Pontes, 17, of 28 Platt St., and Adam. C. Woods, 19, of 183 George St., were charged last night around midnight with three counts of armed assault with intent to murder. They were also charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. Woods was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The police have not said which of the suspects was believed to be the gunman. -- Journal staff writer Alisha Pina The police said the victims were waiting to purchase food around 2:44 a.m. Sunday morning at the Plymouth Avenue restaurant when an argument occurred with people in two other automobiles. All the parties left their cars; one man had a handgun, the police said. The man, whom the police did not identify, shot three and then fled the scene with the three others. Officers immediately began looking for all four. The victims did not know the suspects before the incident, the police said. The three victims, whom the police have not identified, were still listed in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital, said Police Lt. Gene Rodrigues, who last received an update this morning. They are a 25-year-old New Bedford man, a 32-year-old Fall River man and a 32-year-old New Bedford man. Two were shot once in the upper body, and the third was shot twice in the upper body, according to a police press release. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the major crime division at 1-508-324-2796. -- Journal staff writer Alisha Pina Posted by Jack Perry at 02:40 PM Swain, on tape, acknowledges he did not use CPR on wifePROVIDENCE - A Jamestown man accused in a civil lawsuit of drowning his wife acknowledged that he did not perform CPR on his wife after she had been pulled from the water despite his 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. Jurors hearing the wrongful-death lawsuit against David Swain, a former Jamestown Town Council member, listened to Swain's statements while watching a videotaped deposition this morning in Superior Court. "I did what I could and came to a conclusion she was gone from us," Swain said in the deposition taken two years ago. Neither Swain nor an attorney representing him has yet been in court to challenge any of the testimony. Swain has been subpoenaed to testify in person tomorrow. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Swain is accused in a lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre, in the March 12, 1999, death of Shelley Tyre, 46, off the island of Tortola. Tortola police ruled Tyre's death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain has never been charged with a crime. In the videotaped deposition submitted today, Swain said he decided not to perform CPR because his wife's eye pupils did not react to light, and he assumed that she had been underwater and not breathing for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes before another diver brought her to the surface. Swain said he did initially clear his wife's air passage, checked for a pulse and tried to get some reaction from her pupils, but when he got none, he assumed any further life-saving action would have been futile. Pressed by the plaintiff's attorney, J. Renn Olenn, as to why he did not do more and did not follow training he had received as an EMT to continue with CPR until a doctor responds, Swain said, "If I had oxygen, I would have administered it." Olenn said, "You did not need equipment to administer CPR, but you didn't do it." Swain replied, "I did not."
Posted by Jack Perry at 02:32 PM Derderians issue statement on Station fire anniversaryJeffrey and Michael Derderian, co-owners of The Station nightclub, have issued the following statement on today's third anniversary of the disastrous fire in West Warwick: "We are ever mindful that despite the passage of time, so many of us, in our state and beyond, still suffer tremendous heartache and loss. And so, above all, this is a day about remembering our close friends, our co-workers, and our fellow Rhode Islanders and New Englanders who were affected by the terrible fire that occurred on February 20, 2003. "We offer our sincerest prayers and condolences to all those involved with this horrible tragedy. "Finally, no words could express the deep gratitude we feel for the people - many of whom we have never met - who have continued to offer their support to us." The Derderian brothers face criminal charges and civil suits stemming from the blaze -- the worst in the state's history -- which killed 100 people and injured more than 200.
Posted by Jack Perry at 02:05 PM Sportscaster Curt Gowdy, voice of the Sox, dies at 86FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Legendary sportscaster Curt Gowdy has died, the Boston Red Sox said today. Gowdy, who was 86, died in Palm Beach, after a long battle with leukemia, according to Red Sox spokeswoman Pam Ganley. Gowdy, the long time "Voice of the Red Sox," made his broadcasting debut in 1944. In 1951 Gowdy became main play-by-play voice on the Boston Red Sox broadcast team. He left the Red Sox in 1966 for a ten-year stint as Game of the Week announcer for NBC. He was also the longtime host of the "American Sportsman" series. Gowdy broadcast 13 World Series and 16 All-Star Games. More about Gowdy from redsox.com ... -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:46 PM Curran to serve as ethics monitor for Roger Williams Medical CenterPROVIDENCE -- Former U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran has been appointed ethics monitor for the Roger Williams Medical Center as part of the hospital's agreement with prosecutors to dismiss federal corruption charges, the center's board of directors announced today. Curran will monitor and ensure that the hospital meets the conditions outlined under a deferred prosecution agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney's Office late last month. Curran served as U.S. attorney for Rhode Island from 1998 until 2003, when she resigned because of illness with multiple sclerosis. She oversaw the Operation Plunder Dome prosecution of corruption at Providence City Hall. On Jan. 5, Roger Williams was charged with conspiracy and mail fraud in an indictment alleging that Roger Williams and its representatives stole the "honest services" of a Rhode Island senator, John A. Celona, by putting him on the payroll to do their bidding at the State House. Celona pleaded guilty last year to selling his office to Roger Williams and two other companies, the CVS drugstore chain and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. On Jan. 27, U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced that the medical center had agreed to take responsibility for "criminal misconduct" in its hiring of Celona, and to atone by providing $4 million worth of free health care to the poor and taking other steps. If Roger Williams follows the conditions, prosecutors will dismiss the 36 counts in two years, and recommend to federal health officials that the hospital not be debarred from government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Roger Williams has also agreed to cooperate in the continuing cases against its former president, Robert A. Urciuoli, and another former executive, Frances P. Driscoll. Curran will be assisted by Leonard Henson, former chief assistant district attorney in Suffolk Count, Mass. Posted by Jack Perry at 01:38 PM Sikorsky helicopter workers on strike in Conn., Fla.STRATFORD, Conn. -- Nearly 3,600 Sikorsky Aircraft workers in Connecticut and Florida went on strike today, blaming increased health insurance costs in the company's contract offer. Workers with Local 1150 of the Teamsters overwhelmingly rejected the contract and voted Sunday in favor of the strike, the company's first since 1963. The union represents 3,500 workers at the helicopter-maker in Connecticut and 90 in Florida. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:12 PM 3 men shot in confrontation at Fall River McDonald'sFALL RIVER, Mass. -- Three men were in critical condition after being shot during a confrontation that started in a McDonald's drive-thru early yesterday morning, and police are seeking the gunman today. City police said the victims were waiting to purchase food around 2:44 a.m. at the Plymouth Avenue restaurant when an argument occurred with people in two other automobiles. All the parties left their cars and one man had a handgun, according to the police department’s press release yesterday. The man, whom the police did not identify, shot three and then fled the scene. The victims were also not identified. They are a 25-year-old New Bedford man, a 32-year-old Fall River man and a 32-year-old New Bedford man. -- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina All three victims were sent to Rhode Island Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition, the news release said. Two were shot once in the upper body, and the third was shot twice in the upper body. Police said the victims did not know the suspects before the incident. The department is not releasing any additional information because of the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can call the major crime division at 1-508-324-2796. -- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina Posted by Jack Perry at 11:25 AM | Comment Providence stabbing victim in critical conditionPROVIDENCE -- A stabbing in Providence early yesterday morning left a man in critical condition. Police say the victim walked into a Branch Avenue fire station around 2:30 a.m complaining that he had been stabbed in the chest. Authorities have not released the name of the victim, but say he was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and underwent surgery. He was listed in critical condition. Police say they believe the attack happened at Club Diesel in downtown Providence. -- Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:51 AM Lead-paint jury to resume deliberations this afternoonPROVIDENCE -- Jurors in the state's landmark lawsuit against makers of lead paint are scheduled to resume their deliberations at 12:30 p.m. today in Superior Court. Judge Michael A. Silverstein is letting the jury return to court later than usual this morning because one juror had a conflict this morning. The case was sent to the jury late last Monday after 15 weeks of trial. The state contends that four companies -- Sherwin Williams, Millennium Holdings LLC, Atlantic Richfield and NL Industries -- created a public nuisance by marketing the lead-paint pigments that helped poison more than 37,000 Rhode Island children during the last 11 years. The state also claims that the paints remain on more than 240,000 houses and threaten future harm as they deteriorate. The jury has been asked to decide whether the presence of lead paint in Rhode Island is a public nuisance, if the defendants are liable, and whether they should be required to clean it up. It is the second time the state's case has come to trial. The first ended in a mistrial. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:22 AM Jury to see video deposition by Jamestown man accused in wife's deathPROVIDENCE -- A jury in Superior Court today is scheduled to see a videotaped deposition by the Jamestown man accused in a civil suit of killing his wife during a scuba-diving vacation in the Caribbean. David Swain is accused in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by his former father-in-law, Richard Tyre, for the March 12, 1999, death of Shelley Tyre, 46, off the island of Tortola. Tortola police ruled Tyre's death an accident "unless proven otherwise," and Swain, a former Jamestown Town Council member, has never been charged with a crime. But in testimony Friday, the chief medical examiner of Florida's Miami-Dade County called the 1999 diving death of Tyre a "homicidal drowning," while an underwater forensic investigator said his review of evidence drew one conclusion: Swain, had attacked her in 80 feet of water. The trial ended for the day with the jury hearing a videotaped deposition of a Warwick woman who said Swain made romantic advances toward her eight months before his wife's death. She said they became lovers after Tyre's death. Neither Swain nor a lawyer representing him has been in court to challenge the testimony. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:14 AM Man accused of driving up State House steps faces hearingPROVIDENCE - A hearing is scheduled today for a Woonsocket man who was accused of driving a car up the stairs of the State House and scuffling with Capitol police officers Feb. 3. Robert R. Negrotti was charged with three misdemeanors and also assaulting his mother, who was with him in the car. He faces a hearing in Superior Court to determine whether he violated his probation for a 2005 felony domestic assault and domestric robbery charge. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:46 AM February 17, 20062 events Sunday will mark Station fire's 3rd anniversaryFamilies and friends of those who perished in The Station nightclub fire are expected to gather at two events this weekend to commemorate the third anniversary of the deadly fire. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the site of the Feb. 20, 2003, fire on Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick. The names of the 100 people killed in the fire will be read aloud, and participants will observe 100 seconds of silence. A giant heart containing 100 light bulbs will also be lit. Also on Sunday, an awards ceremony will be held honoring two Rhode Islanders for the roles they took during and after the fire. It's the first year the Hope Awards will be given out by the state. The award was started as a way to honor victims and survivors of the fire. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, in Cranston. It is open to the public. More details on the events ... -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:18 PM | Comment Carpio trial date set for April 24PROVIDENCE - An April 24 trial date has been scheduled in Superior Court for Esteban Carpio, accused of murdering Providence Det. James Allen at police headquarters last April. Carpio, 27, was in court last month with his lawyers asking Judge William Dimitri to suppress incriminating statements he made to the police at the hospital after his arrest and later at the police station. Carpio's lawyers are arguing that he didn't waive his right to refuse to speak to the police, or if he did waive that right, his physical and mental impairments made it impossible for him to make a sound decision. Carpio, who was being interviewed by Allen, jumped out of a third-floor window at police headquarters and was captured after a scuffle with police. Dimitri has not yet issued a decision on the statements, according to Craig Berke, a court spokesman. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:11 PM Lead trial jurors wrap up for week, without verdictPROVIDENCE - Jurors in the state's lawsuit against lead-paint manufacturers ended their deliberations a little early this afternoon and without reaching a verdict. They're scheduled to return to court Monday afternoon. The jurors had returned to work after deadlocking briefly yesterday afternoon. Today, they asked Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein to wrap up at 3:15 p.m. today, because a juror has a doctor's appointment. Silverstein asked the jurors to return at 12:30 p.m. Monday because a juror has a scheduling conflict in the morning. -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord The jury began deliberating late Monday after a 15-week trial of the state's public nuisance lawsuit against Sherwin Williams, NL Industries, Millennium Holdings LLC and Atlantic Richfield. The state claims that the companies created a public nuisance and wants them to clean up the paints which remain on an estimated 240,000 housing units. It is the second time the state has brought the case to trial. The state's first trial of companies that manufactured lead pigments that continue to poison children ended in a mistrial in 2002 after five days of deliberations. For more, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:32 PM Updated: High winds, cold front and rain to hit area today
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
Alicia Pomfret, of Coventry, had no choice but to go with a wind-blown look today on Dorrance Street in Providence.
Those high winds will precede a cold front moving across southern New England today, the weather service says. Even stronger winds will follow. The weather service has also issued a wind warning for all airports in Rhode Island. The cold front, moving through the region from late this morning into the middle of the afternoon, will bring showers, and gusty winds. Strong west winds will develop immediately after it passes with sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph and gusts of 65 mph, the weather service says. Even before the cold front, southwest winds have reached 20 to 30 mph this morning with gusts up to 40 mph in Providence, according to the weather service. The weather service advises residents to secure outdoor objects and says high-profile vehicles should use caution crossing bridges, because wind gusts could be strong enough to turn them over. Get the latest conditions, forecasts... Posted by Jack Perry at 01:58 PM 9 prison staffers put on leave in inmate abuse incidentCRANSTON -- Nine correctional officers and members of the state prison staff have been put on administrative leave after a 30-year-old male inmate was abused and mistreated on Tuesday, the head of the state Corrections Department said today. Corrections Director A.T. Wall announced the move during a press conference at the Adult Correctional Institutions this morning. Still obviously angry, Wall said the incident has embarrassed the entire department and its 1,500 employees. He did not provide specifics about the incident, but said some staff members were put on leave for allegedly participating in it, while others were punished for failing to report it. The inmate, who was in minimum security, was treated by staff but not hospitalized, according to Wall. Wall did not identify the inmate or any of the prison staff placed on leave, but the group included a captain, five lieutenants and a correctional officer. -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski Posted by Jack Perry at 11:59 AM Lead-paint trial jury to be back on the case todayPROVIDENCE - Jurors were to continue deliberations today in the state's lawsuit against lead-paint manufacturers, marking their fifth day trying to reach a verdict in the landmark case. The six-person jury returns to work after a day of ups and downs for lawyers on both sides. The jury said at noon yesterday it was deadlocked but then agreed to continue deliberating. Jurors then worked until late yesterday afternoon before informing the judge they were tired and wanted to go home. The jury began deliberating late Monday after a 15-week trial of the state's public nuisance lawsuit against Sherwin Williams, NL Industries, Millennium Holdings LLC and Atlantic Richfield. The state claims that the companies created a public nuisance and wants them to clean up the paints which remain on an estimated 240,000 housing units. For more, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:41 AM Coast Guard Academy senior accused of sexually assaulting 6 female cadetsNEW LONDON, Conn. -- A senior at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has been charged with sexually assaulting six female cadets in the campus barracks and other sites. Webster M. Smith, 22, of Houston was separated from the rest of the student population after the first complaint was filed with administrators Dec. 4, the academy said. Smith, a linebacker on the academy's football team, was charged Feb. 9 under military law with rape, assault, indecent assault and sodomy against female cadets, said Chief Warrant Officer David French, an academy spokesman. Some of the attacks allegedly happened on academy grounds when Smith entered female cadets' rooms without permission. Others were reported off campus. Read the full story from the Associated Press ... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 09:22 AM Teams from Northeast competing in R.I. youth hockey tournamentThe Ocean State Classic, featuring over 70 youth hockey teams from throughout the Northeast, opens this morning at rinks across Rhode Island. Players ages 7 to 14 from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York will participate in the tournament, which concludes Monday. Local teams include the Edgewood Hawks, Northern Rhode Island Vikings, Southern Rhode Island Junior Rams, Woonsocket North Stars, Warwick Junior Hockey, Burrillville and CLCF. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM Rain forecast postpones downcity winter fest skating eventsPROVIDENCE - The Downcity Olympic Winter Fest skating events scheduled for tonight have been postponed until tomorrow at 6 p.m. The rain forecast for tonight will make conditions unmanageable for the figure skating and speed skating events that were scheduled at the outdoor Bank of America Skating Center. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 16, 2006Beacon hiring Giuliani's firm to review allegationsThe firm of former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani is being hired by the Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. to conduct a review of recent allegations against the insurer. Giuliani Partners, the prospective presidential candidate's high-flying consulting firm, was introduced today by former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln C. Almond, the head of an independent committee that Beacon has asked to oversee the review. The review of Rhode Island's dominant workers' compensation insurer will be overseen by Pasquale J. D'Amuro, a former FBI counterterrorism expert who led the investigation of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. D'Amuro heads Giuliani Safety & Security, the division of the New York-based consulting firm that will conduct the review. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton "Giuliani Partners is the best financial and management review firm in the country, and we are pleased to have them on board to help us check into recent allegations made against Beacon,'' said Almond in a statement. Beacon said in a statement that Giuliani's firm will create a hotline for policyholders to "voice concerns and share information'' and have "full access'' to Beacon records and personnel to allow for "a thorough and comprehensive review.'' Its final report will be turned over to the Almond committee, which will report its findings "directly to the public,'' Beacon says. Beacon is hiring Giuliani's firm despite objections from Governor Carcieri and his top business regulator, who call it is a waste of Beacon policyholders' money that will duplicate a planned forensic audit by the state. Carcieri has threatened action to block Beacon from paying Giuliani's firm and an outside public-relations firm, the RDW Group. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:36 PM | Comment Carcieri outlines 'Big Audit' savingsPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri claimed today that a spending review he implemented nearly three years ago will save the state $143 million by the end of this fiscal year and $490 million by the end of fiscal 2010. Carcieri, who is running for rel-election this year, called a press conference to highlight the accomplishments of his "Big Audit," which, he says, focuses on cutting costs, improving efficiencies and reducing waste. Carcieri said a "fiscal fitness" team of state employees examined 28 separate departments and agencies. The team's recommendations have resulted in improved purchasing practices and better contracts, according to the governor. He said savings have included centralizing such areas as human resources, information technology, state facilities and legal services. A new program that requires tax scofflaws to pay outstanding taxes before receiving a driver's license or professional license provided $8 million in new revenues in fiscal year 2005 and is expected to provide another $6 million in fiscal 2006, according to Carcieri. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:41 PM | Comment Lead-trial jury done for day after returning to deliberationsPROVIDENCE -- After deadlocking briefly early this afternoon, jurors in the state's lead-paint trial resumed deliberations for another three hours -- until announcing they were tired and wanted to go home. Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein said fine, and ordered the six-member panel to return at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Lawyers on both sides of the case appeared baffled by the jury's behavior today. Read more about today's deliberations... -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:15 PM High winds on the way tomorrowHold onto your hats tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Southwest winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph tomorrow morning as a strong cold front approaches from the west. Gusts over 50 mph are possible, especially over higher land, the service predicts. As the front passes, the wind will shift to the west at 25 to 35 mph, gusting even higher -- up to 65 mph during the afternoon as much colder air rushes in. Damage to trees and power lines is possible, says the service, which suggests securing any loose outdoor objects now.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:05 PM Accountant: Jamestown man accused in wife's death racked up debtPROVIDENCE -- David Swain received some $570,000 dollars in the two years after his wife died in a Caribbean diving accident, says a forensic accountant called to testify today in the civil trial accusing him of killing his wife, Shelley A. Tyre, in 1999.
Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
But, Anthony D. Lee, of Wayland, Mass., said, the money that Swain received was "all gone" by February 2003. "He was taking extensive trips to the Caribbean and other cities in the U.S. - just rolling up the debt," said Lee. Lee, who said he examined the financial papers of Swain, his late wife, and Swain business, Ocean State Scuba, in Jamestown, said Swain's spending spree didn't stop there. He also has nearly $190,000 dollars in debt from some 2 dozen credit cards. Lee's accusations went unchallenged once again because neither Swain, or an attorney for him, appeared in the courtroom today. Swain did, however, make a brief appearance in the courthouse where he spoke in a chambers conference with Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Hurst and the attorney representing Tyre's parents, J. Renn Olenn. During the conference, a decision on Swain's motion for dismissal was postponed until later in the trial when the judge said she would consider it. Later, outside the courthouse, Swain told a reporter he was not defending himself because the trial was really about money and nothing else. "If there truly was a case, we would be in criminal court. There is no case," he said. Swain denied any involvement in his wife's death. "I didn't do it. To this day, it's painful that it happened ... often in life people die with no reason. This isn't the first diving accident where someone has drowned ... it's sad, it happens. This isn't going to solve anything." --Journal staff writer Tom Mooney Posted by at 01:36 PM Lead-paint jury deadlocks briefly before trying againPROVIDENCE -- The six-person jury in the state's landmark suit against four major paint companies deadlocked briefly today, the judge announced, but has now returned to its deliberations. The jurors sent a note announcing they had deadlocked around noon. It was announced in court by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein about 1 p.m. Silverstein then sent the jury back to decide whether to continue deliberating. By 1:15 p.m., jurors reported back that they would keep discussing the case. It is not known what the vote count on the deadlock was, or what issue was the sticking point. The state's first trial against the paint companies ended with a deadlocked jury, on a 4-2 vote. The jury is being asked to decide that lead pigments used in paints created a public nuisance in Rhode Island. If it finds they did, it must decide whether the four defendant corporations are responsible. If it finds they are, it must decide whether they should remove the paints. -- Journal environmental writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:20 PM Worker hurt at GTECH construction sitePROVIDENCE -- A worker at the GTECH construction site hurt his leg today after falling a few feet at the site, a city firefighter said. The man was loaded by stretcher onto an ambulance early this afternoon. Police and fire department personnel were also on the scene, at the corner of Francis Street and Memorial Boulevard, where the lottery giant is building its new corporate headquarters. The worker was moving and appeared to be conscious. The firefighter said the injury was not life-threatening. No more information was available. -- Journal staff reports Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:10 PM Updated: 2 Providence men charged in E. Greenwich woman's kidnappingPROVIDENCE - After an intense investigation and search, the police this morning rescued an East Greenwich woman reported kidnapped yesterday and arrested two Providence men on related charges. The police investigation started when the woman's husband reported to the state police that she had been kidnapped, and that he had received several telephone calls requesting "significant ransom" for his wife's life, according to a state police news release today. The police arrested two men this morning after the husband, accompanied by undercover detectives, complied with a caller's demand that ransom money be left in the area of Route 95 near Exit 5 in Massachusetts, according to the police. Shortly after the money was left, investigators saw a black Nissan Maxima in the area, stopped the vehicle and detained its operator, Cesar Lopez, 20, of 160 Calla St., Providence. A second suspect, Ralph Alexander, 24, of 30 Messer St., Providence, was detained after he was found walking nearby. After capturing Lopez and Alexander, the police were able to find the victim, who was bound and gagged in a basement apartment at 160 Calla St. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment and later released, said police, who did not release her name. In a brief hearing in District Court, Providence, Lopez and Alexander were arraigned at midday. They face charges of kidnapping with intent to extort, first-degree robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy. Both were ordered held pending a bail hearing on March 2. The victim's name was also not released in court, where she was referred to as Jane Doe. State police plan a press conference on the case this afternoon. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:40 PM Updated: National Grid to buy New England Gas's R.I. operationsNational Grid Plc, which already provides electricity service in Rhode Island, has agreed to buy the Rhode Island assets of Southern Union Co.'s New England Gas utility for $498 million. The transaction, which includes the assumption of $77 million in debt, will provide National Grid with 245,000 gas customers in Rhode Island, according to a statement from the London-based company. National Grid already distributes electricity to 477,000 homes and businesses in Rhode Island. Southern Union said it will retain operations of New England Gas in North Attleboro and Fall River, Mass. -- Bloomberg News Under the agreement, employees of New England Gas's Rhode Island operation will be offered jobs with National Grid, according to a Southern Union press release. The boards of directors for both companies have approved the sale, which must receive federal and state regulatory approval, Southern Union said. The sale is expected to close by the third quarter of 2006, Southern Union said. Southern Union has been selling local gas distribution companies and buying pipeline systems. George Lindemann, Southern Union's chairman, president and CEO, said the sale is "part of the continuing transformation of Southern Union Company from a utility to a leader in the natural gas transporation and services industry." Proceeds from the Rhode Island sale will be used to pay short-term debt from the $1.6 billion cash purchases of Sid Richardson Energy Services, owner of a Texas pipeline, the company said. National Grid transmits and distributes electricity and natural gas to almost 4 million customers across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. New England Gas. Co., headquartered in Providence, serves more than 290,000 residential customers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. -- Bloomberg News with staff reports Posted by Jack Perry at 11:15 AM Lead-paint jury enters third day of deliberationsPROVIDENCE -- The jury in the state's lawsuit against the lead-paint industry has entered its third day of deliberations. The six jurors returned yesterday afternoon with a question for the judge. The jury wanted clarification on what constitutes a public nuisance. After some debate among the lawyers, Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein read back the portion of his jury instructions dealing with the topic. The state says the presence of lead paint in buildings throughout Rhode Island creates a public nuisance and is seeking to hold former lead-paint manufacturers liable for the problem. The companies say they're not to blame. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:16 AM Powerball jackpot increases to $365 millionNobody won last night's $300 million Powerball jackpot, and the estimated jackpot for the next drawing, Saturday, has grown to $365 million. The jackpot would surpass the record $340 million won on a single ticket last October in Oregon. The cash option for Saturday's drawing would be an estimated $177.3 million. Powerball is played in 28 states, including Rhode Island, and also the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball, but players can win smaller prizes for matching fewer numbers. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:52 AM | Comment February 15, 2006Chafee asks Rice tough questions on HamasU.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-RI, had a tense exchange with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today over the pace of progress toward Israeli-Palestinian peace and the implications of the Hamas victory in Palestinian legislative elections last month. Rice, testifying on Capitol Hill for the first time in months, was exposed to tough grilling today about the Bush administration's policies in Iraq, Iran and the Palestinian territories, with some of the criticism coming from members of her own party. Chafee tersely questioned whether the United States could have prevented Hamas from coming to power. "Opportunities missed," Chafee lamented after rattling off a list. "Now we have a very, very disastrous situation of a terrorist organization winning elections." Rice said she agrees it's a difficult moment for the peace process, but responded: "I don't think the United States of America is responsible for the election of Hamas. No I don't." "If Hamas will take the signals being given it by the international community as to what it will take to govern, it could, in fact, be a more positive development," Rice added. Although Chafee and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., are less conservative than many of their Republican colleagues, their criticism today underscored a widespread frustration in Congress with the difficult problems the United States is facing across the Middle East. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:50 PM R.I. contractor accused of fraud in IraqALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A Rhode Island company founded by two former soldiers devised a scheme of shell companies and fake invoices to defraud the U.S. government of millions of dollars in Iraq, a federal jury was told today. "Some people think they can get away with anything," attorney Alan Grayson told a jury in the case of two whistleblowers suing Middletown-based contractor Custer Battles LLC. "When you hear the crude and crass ... audacious scheme that the defendants executed," Grayson said, "you will ask yourselves: 'Did they really believe they could get away with this?"' Attorneys for the company countered that there was no fraud - but rather confusion and misunderstandings over contracts signed in chaotic, post-invasion Iraq run by overwhelmed and inexperienced occupation authorities. -- The Associated Press The experience of Custer Battles "was critical to success in Iraq" because they had the contacts and know-how to do things the U.S. military couldn't do, said attorney David L. Douglass, representing the company founded by former Army Rangers Scott Custer and Michael Battles, a former candidate for Congress in Rhode Island. Attorneys were making opening statements in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis in suburban Washington. Whistleblowers Robert Isakson and William Baldwin are suing their former employer, Custer Battles, accusing company officials of defrauding the U.S. government of about $50 million while doing security work in Iraq. Their attorney, Grayson, said that during the trial he will show the jury "dozens and dozens of fake invoices from sham companies" set up in the Cayman Islands by Custer Battles. Grayson said one of the scams the company pulled was providing 16 trucks on lease to the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority - vehicles that had to be "dragged into the military base because they did not function." When the military protested that they didn't work, a company official responded that they had been asked to provide trucks, "not trucks that work," Grayson alleged in opening arguments. As part of a contract to provide security at Baghdad's airport, the company took forklifts abandoned by Iraqi Airways, painted them to cover the airline's name, and then charged the coalition thousands of dollars on fake invoices, claiming it was leasing the equipment, the whistleblowers allege. But Douglass - Custer Battles' attorney - said the evidence will show that "no false claims were submitted." He said Battles, a West Point graduate and former CIA employee, and Custer, who served with the 101st Airborne Division, provided valuable services in Iraq. He said his clients "are the victims of confusion" and misunderstandings about the contracts the company had, and some resentments among employees. "This is not a case of war profiteering," agreed Barbara Van Gelder, attorney for a third Custer Battles official, Joseph Morris. "This is a simple case of payback and self-protection." Van Gelder noted that one contract was for Custer Battles to provide housing, protection, food and other materials for three centers needed in the program to exchange Iraq's old dinars to a new currency system. "We are not talking about running down to Home Depot," Van Gelder said. "This was what Custer Battles was supposed to do," find trucks, generators and so on she said, adding that the company had to "scrounge to get these things" in a dangerous, war-torn country. Under the law, individuals may sue on behalf of the government when they have knowledge that the government is being defrauded. The law allows the government to collect triple the amount of the alleged fraud, and the whistleblowers are allowed to receive up to 30 percent of the money. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 04:36 PM Rhode Islanders nominated for L.A. theater awardsThe production of "Macbeth" that started in 2000 at Rhode Island's Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre is nominated for three L.A. Weekly Theater Awards. Nigel Gore, who plays Macbeth, is nominated for leading male performance; Eric Tucker gets a nod as best director; and the show gets a nomination as best production. The awards, which recognize excellence in Los Angeles theaters of 99 seats or less, will be given out April 10. Posted by at 04:28 PM Carcieri won't push for appointment to Mental Health postPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has decided not to pursue the nomination of Kathleen M. Spangler as director of the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, his spokesman said today. During a confirmation hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last year, Spangler faced criticism from many people in the developmental-disabilities community. The committee never held a vote on her nomination. ``It has become clear to all parties that her nomination does not appear to be moving forward,'' Jeffrey Neal, the governor's spokesman, said today. Spangler has been acting director since March 2004. Within weeks, Neal said, Spangler will leave the acting director's post and return to a previous job within the department. The governor has not selected a new nominee, nor decided who, if anyone, will serve as acting director pending the confirmation process, Neal said. The department has been without a permanent director since August 2003, when A. Kathryn Power left to take a job with the federal government. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 04:16 PM | Comment Mailhot pleads guilty to murderPROVIDENCE - An accused serial killer pleaded guilty this afternoon in Superior Court, Providence, to murdering three women who disappeared after they had accompanied him to his Woonsocket apartment. Jeffrey S. Mailhot was sentenced to three terms of life in prison for the murder counts, plus ten years for two other assault charges. Mailhot, a former factory worker with no previous criminal record, choked the women to death, chopped up their bodies and disposed them in trash bins, according to the police. Mailhot, held without bail since his arrest in July 2004, was charged with killing Audrey L. Harris, 33, Christine C. Dumont, 42, and Stacie K. Goulet, a pregnant 24-year-old, between 2003 and 2004. All of the women had histories of drug abuse and prostitution. The police recovered only Goulet's body, in the Central Landfill, in Johnston, despite an intense search. -- Jack Perry Posted by at 02:50 PM Entwistle flown out of BritainLONDON -- A British man charged with killing his wife and daughter in their suburban Boston home was handed over to U.S. authorities in London today, police said. Neil Entwistle, 27, was expected to be returned to Massachusetts, where he'll face two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his wife, Rachel, 27, and 9-month-old daughter Lillian on Jan. 20. Entwistle was handed over the custody of U.S. marshals at Gatwick Airport at 9:25 a.m. EST, London's Metropolitan Police said. "We understand that he is returning to the U.S. on a private flight," a police statement said. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM Deliberations resume in lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE -- Today marks the second full day of deliberations for the six-person jury trying to decide the state's lead-poisoning public nuisance lawsuit against four corporations. Judge Michael A. Silverstein sent the case to the jury late Monday. The jury has been asked to rule if the paints created a public nuisance in Rhode Island, if the four defendants are responsible, and if they should be required to abate or clean up the paints that are now on an estimated 240,000 houses. The state argued that lead from the paints has caused neurological damage in thousands of children. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:33 AM Weather service: Unseasonable warmth todayPROVIDENCE - Southern New England will enjoy an unseasonably warm day today, mostly sunny with the temperature more than 10 degrees above normal, acccording to the National Weather Service in Taunton. The temperature in the Providence area should reach a high of 52 degrees, 13 degrees higher than the normal high for this time of year, according to the weather forecast. That high temperature would still fall well below the record for the day of 64 degrees, set in 1939. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:19 AM Senate candidate asks General Assembly to impeach presidentPROVIDENCE -- Democratic Senate candidate Carl Sheeler wants to impeach the president. Sheeler has scheduled a lunchtime news conference at the State House this afternoon. He says he will ask the state's General Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bush by sending a joint resolution to Congress. Sheeler has accused the president of lying to convince Americans to support the war in Iraq. His news conference is scheduled to start at 12:30. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:05 AM | Comment February 14, 2006Minimum-wage hike going through without Carcieri's signaturePROVIDENCE --The 21,000 Rhode Islanders earning minimum wage will see a 35-cent raise in their hourly pay on March 1. Governor Carcieri today backed down from earlier threats to veto legislation providing a two-step increase in the minimum wage. The measure will now become law without his signature. The state’s minimum wage will go to $7.10 an hour as of March 1 and to $7.40 on Jan. 1, 2007. The wage was last raised in January 2004, from $6.15 to the current $6.75. Carcieri also let that hike take effect without his signature. The Republican governor’s turnaround had nothing to do with policy. It was all political. He knew there were not enough votes in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly to sustain his veto. "The governor continues to believe that this legislation will undermine his efforts to grow Rhode Island jobs,’’ Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said. "But after a year of debate, passage of this legislation is now inevitable and the governor believes it is time to move on to other important business.’’ The governor’s office offered no further explanation. -- Scott Mayerowitz, Journal State House Bureau Posted by Jack Perry at 05:29 PM First day of jury deliberations in lead-paint case endsPROVIDENCE -- Jury deliberations are done for the day in the state's lawsuit against the lead paint industry. The jury of four men and two women began its first full day of deliberations this morning. Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein sent them home around 4:25 p.m. Early this afternoon, they asked the judge to clarify rules about reading back witness testimony. Silverstein said jurors could make specific requests, and the court would read back the testimony. This is the second trial in the case. An earlier trial ended in a hung jury after four days of deliberations. The state alleges that the presence of lead paint in homes and buildings creates a public nuisance. It has sued four former makers of lead pigment and paint. The companies say the state didn't prove its case. -- Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 05:19 PM Cranston man gets 2nd sentence for possessing child pornPROVIDENCE -- A U.S. District Court judge today sentenced a 30-year-old Cranston man to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. This is the second time that Jonathan Nakielny has been convicted and sentenced on federal pornography charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. In June of last year, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents found more than 30,000 sexually-explicit images of children on Nakielny's laptop computer, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. In November, Nakielny pleaded guilty to possessing more than 10 images of child pornography that had been transmitted by computer, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were led to Nakielny through Operation Predator, an agency initiative that targets child pornographers and other predatory criminals. Operation Predator has led to more than 6,500 arrests nationwide, according to the agency. In December 2000, Nakielny had been sentenced to five years' probation with six months' home confinement for possessing child pornography. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:17 PM Updated: Governor names retired state police officer to Beacon board Journal file photo DOHERTY
PROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has appointed a retired Rhode Island state police major to the board of the Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. Brendan P. Doherty, director of public safety at Roger Williams University in Bristol, was named today to replace Sheldon S. Sollosy, who abruptly retired as Beacon’s chairman two weeks ago amid allegations of favoritism. The appointment comes as the governor wrestles with Beacon for control of Rhode Island’s dominant workers' compensation insurer. A bill that passed the Senate last month and is in the House would remove the governor’s power to appoint five of the nine board members for the government-created nonprofit. Sollosy’s departure gave Carcieri, who has been sharply critical of Beacon, the opportunity to appoint his second board member there. Doherty joins Carcieri’s director of labor and training, Adelita S. Orefice, on the board. More to come on projo.com ... -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Posted by Jack Perry at 03:43 PM | Comment Convicted murderer Hazard testifies he told lawyer of his alibiNEWPORT -- A convicted murderer trying to get his case overturned on an alibi that wasn't raised at his trial testified today that he told his previous lawyer about the alibi well before then. Derick Hazard was convicted in 2002 of gunning down David S. Andrews while the victim was walking down West Clifford Street in South Providence. But Hazard claims that his former lawyer, Vincent J. Oddo, did not check out evidence that would have bolstered his alibi and cleared him of the crime. Hazard contends he was a passenger in a car stopped by a New Jersey state trooper just hours before Andrews was shot and killed on July 18, 1996. Hazard said he was on his way to Ohio when the car was stopped. -- Journal staff writer Richard Salit Testifying in Superior Court yesterday, Oddo said that he could not recall whether Hazard had told him of the police alibi before, during or after his trial. Oddo also testified that Hazard did not provide details such as the day when the car was stopped, where it happened and whether the car was stopped by the state or local police. Oddo did produce witnesses at the trial who testified that Hazard was in Ohio. Hazard was scheduled to be cross-examined this afternoon.
Posted by Jack Perry at 02:19 PM | Comment Vote today on naming Cranston post office in honor of slain MarineWASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on legislation that would name the post office at Rolfe Square in Cranston in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Holly Charette. Charette, a Cranston resident, was killed June 23 in Iraq. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., worked with Charette's family to develop the legislation. His bill passed the Senate last November. Charette wanted to work for the U.S. Postal Service after finishing her service with the Marines. At the time of her death, she was serving as a military mail clerk with the Headquarters Battalion of the Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:55 PM | Comment Victim in bar attack complains about paramedics' treatmentNEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- A victim of a teenager's violent rampage in a bar here has filed a complaint with the state alleging he received poor treatment by paramedics because he is gay. Robert R. Perry, 52, of Dartmouth, was struck in the head with a hatchet and shot in the back when 18-year old Jacob D. Robida attacked patrons of Puzzles Lounge on Feb. 1. Two other men were injured in the attack. In a complaint filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Perry says the New Bedford paramedics took too long transporting him to the hospital, were physically and verbally abusive, and shared private medical information with his family without his permission. "There wasn't just hatred in the bar that night," Perry said. "We had hatred in the ambulance, too." -- Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:03 PM | Comment Bank's survey finds consumers, businesses cautious on economyDespite a surge of development in downtown Providence, Rhode Island consumers and businesses are less optimistic about the economy this year than in 2005, according to the results of an economic survey released today. Sovereign Bank this morning released the results of its annual local economic survey. The consumer portion showed fewer people are optimistic that their personal economic situation will be better in 2006 than last year. The No. 1 concern cited by Rhode Island residents was energy prices, according to the survey. Among businesses, 51 percent of the respondents expect moderate or strong growth this year. That figure is down 5 percentage points from last year. Sovereign released the results this morning at a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Providence Westin hotel. Posted by at 12:00 PM Powerball jackpot soaring into near-record territoryThe Powerball jackpot has climbed into near-record territory, with the jackpot for tomorrow's drawing expected to reach $300 million. The cash option for tomorrow night's drawing will be an estimated $145.7 million. Powerball is played in 28 states, including Rhode Island, and also the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball, but players can win smaller prizes for matching fewer numbers. Last October, the record-breaking $340 million Powerball jackpot was won on a single ticket in Oregon. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:20 AM Jury will continue deliberations in lead-paint lawsuitPROVIDENCE - - A Superior Court jury will continue deliberating today in the state's precedent-setting lead-paint lawsuit. The case was finally sent to the six-person jury late yesterday afternoon, 15 weeks after the trial began. The state contends that four companies -- Sherwin Williams, Millennium Holdings LLC, Atlantic Richfield and NL Industries -- created a public nuisance by marketing the lead-paint pigments that helped poison more than 37,000 Rhode Island children during the last 11 years. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM Gay-marriage supporters plan State House rally todayPROVIDENCE -- Supporters plan a rally this afternoon at the State House to raise awareness and support for legislation to legally recognize marriage for same sex couples in Rhode Island. State Sen. Rhoda Perry, a Providence Democrate and long-time supporter of gay-marriage rights, is among the scheduled speakers for the 4:30 p.m. rally at the State House rotunda. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:54 AM | Comment February 13, 2006Lead-paint trial in the hands of the juryPROVIDENCE -- Shortly before 4 p.m. today, Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein sent the state's historic lead paint public nuisance suit to a six-person jury for deliberations. The jury has been hearing evidence since the beginning of November.. Silverstein said he would send separate boxes of evidence for each of the four corporate defedants to the jury room, and he instructed the jury to consider each defendant separately. For more background, read Saturday's Journal story on closing arguments. More to come tomorrow in The Journal and on projo.com ... -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:35 PM Official: Tougher to hunt quail in R.I. than in TexasQuail hunting in Rhode Island apparently isn't as popular as it is in Texas, where Vice President Dick Cheney this weekend accidentally shot and wounded a companion. Rhode Islanders can hunt for quail during the small-game season from the middle of October until early December. But Michael Lapisky, acting chief of state Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife, says it's been several years since he's seen a hunter with a bagged quail or even heard the bird's call. The state is on the northern edge of the bobwhite quail's range and has only a small population of them, according to Lapisky. Quail hunting is popular with hundreds of thousands of hunters across the country, according to Lapisky. It works best in open, brushy areas common in parts of Texas and other parts of the South, but not as common in Rhode Island. To improve opportunities for hunters, state officials used to stock areas with bobwhite quail -- in part because they could buy four quail for the price of one pheasant -- but stopped the practice about 10 years ago because "it didn't turn out well," Lapisky said. Officials tried to stock the birds in fields, but found that they moved into the wooded areas, where it's difficult to hunt them, Lapisky said. And although there were "no incidents," there was also a safety issue with too many hunters in open areas looking for them, Lapisky said. "For what we wanted to do, we didn't have enough habitat to make it work," he said. Hunting quail is tricky because the birds fly in many different directions, sometimes moving behind the hunter, and hunters must make sure they follow all proper safety procedures, according to Lapisky. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:05 PM 2nd sentence handed down in big cocaine bustPROVIDENCE - A federal judge has sentenced a second man to prison for what is believed to be the largest cocaine seizure ever made in Rhode Island, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. U.S. District Chief Judge Ernest C. Torres on Friday sentenced Pedro Gonzales, 32, address unknown, to 16 years, 4 months, in federal prison for a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving nearly 62 kilograms of cocaine, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. In October, a jury found Gonzales guilty of conspiracy and possessing with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Last June 7, Providence police officers and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents followed a car that Gonzales was driving into a driveway on Lenox Avenue, Providence, and found three duffel bags containing 64 packages of cocaine in the back seat. A passenger in the car, Julian Sahagun Rodriguez, 25, of Woodburn, Oregon, last month was sentenced to 11 years, 3 months, in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:46 PM Costs spur RISD to cut back Chace Center plansPROVIDENCE -- Faced with soaring construction costs, the Rhode Island School of Design has decided to significantly revise plans for the Chace Center, a $30-million classroom and museum complex to be built on North Main Street between College Street and Waterman Street. The changes, which include elminating one the project's six (now five) floors and doing away with a distinctive "glow-in-the-dark" translucent top, were announced on RISD's internal Web site. In addition, the school announced that its Museum of Art will remain open during construction of the Chace Center, which is scheduled to begin in October. Last fall, museum officials had worried publicly that dust and vibration from the adjacent Chace Center would force the museum to close all or some of its galleries during construction. Total cost for the project is about $40 million, which includes the center's construction and two adjoining buildings, including the museum. According to the announcement, the changes were approved by RISD's board of trustees at a meeting on Feb. 4. -- Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:28 PM Convicted murderer Hazard's lawyer questions his previous counselNEWPORT -- The new lawyer for convicted murderer Derick Hazard questioned his trial lawyer today in an effort to prove that the former lawyer didn't do his job properly and that Hazard deserves a new trial. Hazard was convicted in 2002 of gunning down David S. Andrews while the victim was walking down West Clifford Street in South Providence. But Hazard claims that his former lawyer, Vincent J. Oddo, did not check out evidence that would have bolstered his alibi and cleared him of the crime. Hazard claims that he told Oddo he was in Ohio when Andrews was shot on July 18, 1996, and that he was a passenger in a car stopped by police in New Jersey on the way to Ohio just hours before the shooting. When Hazard's new lawyer, J. Richard Ratcliffe, questioned him today in Superior Court, Newport, Oddo testified that he could not recall whether Hazard had told him of the police alibi before, during or after his trial. Oddo also testified that Hazard did not provide details such as the day when the car was stopped, where it happened and whether the car was stopped by the state or local police. Oddo did produce witnesses at the trial who testified that Hazard was in Ohio. -- Journal staff writer Richard Salit Posted by Jack Perry at 04:10 PM Storm sets R.I. snowfall record for the day -- at 9.4 inchesPROVIDENCE -- It could have been worse, but the Providence area still managed to set a snowfall record for the day yesterday with 9.4 inches at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, according to the National Weather Service. That eclipses the previous record for Feb. 12 of 8 inches set in 1910, according to the weather service. (The weather service takes its Providence measurements at Green Airport.) Still, parts of Rhode Island saw more snow. For example, Burrillville had 15 inches as of 9 p.m. yesterday, Woonsocket had 15.8 inches as of 7 p.m. and Bristol Highlands had 10.5 inches as of 10 p.m., according to unofficial measurements on the National Weather Service's Web site. The region might see some snow flurries tonight, but "that's pretty much it in terms of winter precipitation for the next several days," sayd Hayden Frank, a meteorologist for the weather service bureau in Taunton, Mass. Several area schools were also closed, including Woonsocket, East Providence and Lincoln, or had delayed openings today in the wake of the storm. See a full list of closings here. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:01 PM Ex-hospital worker gets suspended sentence for punching patient
PROVIDENCE -- A former mental-health worker at Eleanor Slater Hospital received a three-year suspended sentence today for assaulting a patient last year. Superior Court Judge Gilbert V. Indeglia handed down the sentence, which had been the term suggested by the prosecution, for Donald C. Iasimone. Iasimone had been found guilty last December of felony patient abuse. A patient in the hospital's forensic unit claimed that Iasimone had punched him in the face on the previous New Year's Eve, breaking his glasses and leaving him bleeding. Iasimone was fired Jan. 20 last year, after an internal probe substantiated the claim. A subsequent state police investigation led to an indictment. The 20-bed forensic unit houses mentally ill patients in the criminal-justice system. They include people deemed incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity, and prison inmates who are having a psychiatric episode. --With reports from Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:50 AM R.I. gas prices drop 6 cents in a weekPROVIDENCE - Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have fallen for the second consecutive week, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.32 at the self-service pump -- down 6 cents from last week, according to AAA's weekly survey. With the price of regular, unleaded gasoline having dropped 3 cents last week, this is the first time the price has dropped two weeks in a row since late November, AAA says. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:56 AM Some morning flights out of Green cancelledPROVIDENCE - Several flights out of T.F. Green Airport in Warwick were cancelled this morning as the region recovers from yesterday's northeaster. But most flights into the Rhode Island airport were on time, according to the airport's Web site. There were no flights out of the airport yesterday, although some did land last night. An airport spokeswoman has advised travelers to arrive early today because of extra traffic from travelers who couldn't make it out yesterday. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:20 AM Jury to return this afternoon for lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE -- The jury hearing the state's lawsuit against lead-paint makers isn't scheduled to return to the courthouse until this afternoon. Judge Michael A. Silverstein made a surprising move Friday when he didn't immediately send the case to the jury after closing arguments. After a lunch recess, Silverstein, without offering an explanation, directed the jury to return at 2 p.m today. For more information on the trial, read Saturday's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 08:56 AM February 10, 2006First trial of anti-smoking law finds bar owner guiltyEAST PROVIDENCE -- In the first trial for a violation of the state's anti-smoking law, an East Providence bar owner was found guilty and fined $250 today. Arthur Quattrucci, owner of Monforte's Bar on Waterman Avenue, was found guilty of one of two charges of allowing smoking on his premises in violation of the Public Health and Workplace Safety Law, which went into effect last March. The finding followed a trial in Municipal Court that lasted nearly three hours. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 06:01 PM Weaver's Cove developers propose using smaller LNG tankersFALL RIVER, Mass. - The developers of a controversial liquefied natural gas facility announced today that they would bring smaller tankers up Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River to feed its proposed Weaver's Cove terminal. The decision is designed to do an end-run around the federal law that bans the removal of the Brightman Street Bridge, a drawbridge where the opening is too narrow to accommodate the LNG supertankers that were part of the original plan. Opponents, including officials in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, had hoped that the restriction would kill the project. Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert said this afternoon that because the change will dramatically increase security costs and the environmental impact of the project, the federal government should reconsider the entire project.
Weaver's Cove Energy said that if the Brightman is eventually removed, it will start using the larger tankers. Use of the smaller ships would more than double the number of tanker trips required, meaning more closures of the Pell, Mount Hope, Braga and Brightman bridges for safety reasons. LNG, if released and ignited, would produce an extraordinarily hot, fast-burning conflagration. Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert said this afternoon that because the change will dramatically increase security costs and the environmental impact of the project, the federal government should reconsider the entire project. Lambert said that because Weaver's Cove has argued in the past that only the use of large supertankers would make the project economically viable, the new proposal "may be a way to keep their shareholders investing in this project until they come up with an alternative." - Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:06 PM Emotional plea caps state's lead-paint casePROVIDENCE -- Lawyer Jack McConnell brought the state’s public nuisance suit against four major corporations to a close this morning with an emotional plea to the jury to finally make the companies clean up the lead paint that has been killing and injuring Rhode Island children for a century. "You have a once in a lifetime opportunity,’’ McConnell said, "to help our kids and rid the state of a toxic substance.’’ It was expected that Judge Michael A. Silverstein would send the case to the jury this afternoon. But after the lunch recess, Silverstein directed the jury to return at 2 p.m. Monday. He offered no explanation. For more background on the trial, read today's Journal story. -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:48 PM | Comment Former Providence police commissioner Partington dies at 77PAWTUCKET - John J. Partington, who forged a distinguished career in Rhode Island law enforcement as Providence police commissioner, U.S. marshal and police chief in his home town of Cumberland, died today at Memorial Hospital. He was 77. Partington was appointed public safety commissioner in Providence by then-Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr. in 1989 and served until 2004. He was Cumberland police chief from 1980 to 1989 and served in the U.S. Marshal's Service from 1962 to 1980. During his tenure with the marshal's service, Partington was instrumental in formation of the federal Witness Protection Program. As Providence police commissioner, Partington was a proponent of community policing. He was the husband of the late Helen M. (Doubille) Partington. A native of Cumberland, he was born in Valley Falls section. A funeral with military honors will be held Tuesday with a Mass of Christian burial in the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. There are no calling hours. -- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay Posted by Jack Perry at 04:38 PM Downcity Olympic Winter fest takes to the ice tonightPROVIDENCE – Providence will kick off its own version of the Olympics today with a 5 p.m. torch ceremony at the Bank of America City Center, on the same day that the Winter Games kicked off in Turin, Italy. Figure skaters will carry the torch across the ice and deliver it to Mayor David N. Cicilline, who will light the Olympic flame mounted on the north end of the skating center, setting the stage for a Downcity Olympic Winter Fest. The Olympic Winter Fest, which runs through Feb. 24, includes speed skating for men and women in different age categories, figure skating demonstrations, ice biathlon competitions (featuring speed skating through a slalom ice course) and the first-ever ice curling exhibition match in Providence, according to Cicilline's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:29 PM Arrest warrant issued in case of vandalized Johnston homeJOHNSTON - Police have issued an arrest warrant for Gino Mazzenga in connection with vandalism at the home of Kimberly A. Lasso-Menezes and Joseph T. Menezes, according to Major Ralph Bubar III. “We’re actively out looking for him at places that we know he frequents,” Bubar said. Mazzenga is one of two partners in the contracting firm MazzSmith LLC, which built the modular home at 6 Scalabrini Drive. Kimberly Lasso-Menezes called police Monday afternoon when she discovered the grinder pump for the family’s sewer system had been dug up in their front yard. The town’s building official then declared the home “unfit for human habitation” because the sewer system no longer works. Mazzenga denied involvement when he spoke to The Journal this week. For more background, read today's Journal story. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 04:11 PM Coloian loses bid to expunge bribery chargePROVIDENCE - A U.S. District Court judge today rejected a request to expunge the record of an aide to former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres turned down the request by Artin Coloian after a 25-minute court hearing. The move came almost four years after a federal jury found Coloian, Cianci's chief of staff, not guilty of taking a bribe allegedly intended for Cianci, who was convicted of corruption charges and is now serving a prison sentence. Torres was the judge who oversaw the trial of Cianci and his co-defendants, which stemmed from the FBI's Operation Plunder Dome probe into corruption at City Hall. Coloain was the only city official to be acquitted in the case. He was in the courtroom today while his lawyer argued the case. -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski and the Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:02 PM Coloian seeks to expunge corruption chargePROVIDENCE - A lawyer for Artin Coloian, the chief of staff for former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., is expected to argue this morning that Coloian's record should be expunged. The move comes four years after a federal jury found Coloian not guilty of taking a bribe allegedly intended for Cianci, who was convicted of corruption charges and is now serving a prison sentence. The charges stemmed from the FBI's Operation Plunder Dome investigation into corruption at City Hall. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:52 AM Funeral today for Ark. officer slain by suspect in New Bedford bar attackA huge turnout is expected today for the funeral for an Arkansas police officer killed by the suspect in a Massachusetts gay-bar attack. Over 1,000 law enforcement officers from at least two dozen states and a procession of 300 to 400 police cars were expected for the service today at a church in Mountain Home, Ark. Gasville officer James Sell, 63, was killed Saturday after he pulled over Jacob Robida, 18, wanted for a hatchet-and-gun attack at a gay bar in New Bedford, Mass. New Bedford Deputy Chief of Police David A. Provencher has said he and Mayor Scott W. Lang were planning to bring several officers to Mountain Home for the funeral. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:48 AM Former Conn. governor could end his prison term todayNEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Former Gov. John G. Rowland will receive a limited taste of freedom as soon as today after spending more than 10 months at a federal prison camp -- time his friends say Rowland put to good use. The three-term Republican, scheduled to be released by Sunday from the Loretto Federal Correctional Institution in western Pennsylvania, will be fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet and placed under house arrest for four months. But because his release date falls on a Sunday, Rowland could get out of prison today at the discretion of the warden, prison officials said. Rowland pleaded guilty on Dec. 23, 2004, to one count of conspiracy to steal honest services, a combination of mail and tax fraud. The plea stemmed from Rowland's acceptance of more than $100,000 in vacations and chartered trips to Las Vegas from a state contractor and a charter jet company that received a state tax break. -- The Associated Press
-- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:33 AM With home confinement over, Autiello now a free manPROVIDENCE -- Richard E. Autiello, a key player in the Operation Plunder Dome corruption investigation, is a free man today.  Journal file photo Richard E. Autiello outside District Court in Providence in 2002.
-- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski Autiello, a short, jovial man widely known as "Uncle Dickie,'' had a lucrative city contract to service the fleet of Providence police vehicles through a family business, Four A's, a car garage on the city's west side. Barry Weiner, chief federal probation officer in Providence, said that Autiello must serve 24 months of supervised probation and perform 75 hours of community service. He said that probation officials will meet with Autiello over the next 72 hours. Autiello served most of his prison sentence at the federal prison in Fort Devens, Mass. Last year, he was transferred to the minimum security section of the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. In November, officials say, he was returned to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons and placed in the home confinement program. As part of his supervised release, Weiner said that Autiello will be prohibited from associating with other convicted felons unless he gets permission from the federal probation department. -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski Posted by Jack Perry at 10:27 AM Tomorrow's storm may bring near-blizzard conditionsThe National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for a potentially dangerous northeaster expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to southern New England late tomorrow afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Snow is expected to reach the coast by late tomorrow afternoon and spread north early tomorrow night, bringing near-blizzard conditions to Providence, Boston, Hartford and Worcester during the height of the storm, the weather service said. Total snowfall should reach 8 to 14 inches with the highest totals from the hills of northeast Connecticut to the Route 95 corridor between Providence, Boston and the New Hampshire border, the weather service says. Lower totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected for Nantucket, the outer Cape and Nantucket with the possibility of rain mixing in Sunday morning, the weather service says. Get the latest weather conditions and forecasts ... Posted by Jack Perry at 09:55 AM Entwistle consents to return to face murder chargesLONDON -- An Englishman accused of killing his wife and infant daughter in Massachusetts agreed to return voluntarily to face trial, his lawyer said today. Neil Entwistle, who was arrested in London yesterday, has decided not to contest extradition and wished to return to the United States "as soon as possible," his attorney Dan Brandon said in Bow Street Magistrates Court. Entwistle was accused of using his father-in-law's handgun to shoot Rachel Entwistle, 27, and 9-month-old Lillian on Jan. 20 as they lay cuddled together in bed. -- The Associated Press District Judge Anthony Evans told Entwistle that his decision to voluntarily return would be irrevocable. "Yes, that's right," Entwistle replied. He glanced briefly at his father, Cliff Entwistle, as he signed a form consenting to return. There was no immediate indication when Entwistle would leave Britain. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 08:53 AM | Comment February 09, 2006Truck flips in Johnston, closing access roadJOHNSTON -- A trailer truck carrying 40,000 pounds of compressed paper flipped over while traveling from Route 6 to Route 295 south, closing an access road for nearly 4 1/2 hours today, according to state police. While the accident caused no injuries, state police, working with the Johnston Police and Fire Departments, spent most of the afternoon clearing the debris and working to remount the trailer, state police Lt. Steven Lefebvre said. The truck, owned by the Bichotes Transport Company in Bridgeport, Conn., had left Pawtucket and was on its way to Connecticut, Lefebvre said. He said that the accident was caused by the truck’s load shifting, causing the trailer to lean onto its left side. Lefebvre said police would be blocking off the access road from Route 295 South to Route 6 from 4:30 until 5 this afternoon, to get the truck on its way. The truck’s driver, Santos Villafane, 51, from Bridgeport, was given a summons to traffic court for failing to properly secure his load, Lefebvre said. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Jack Perry at 05:07 PM Jury awards $10.5M to man struck by drunk driver in WesterlySOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A jury in Washington County Superior Court this afternoon awarded a former Charlestown man $10,496,405 in damages in connection with an accident in Westerly caused by a drunk driver who struck him in a crosswalk and left him paralyzed from the chest down. The victim, Daniel Ernst, 66, now lives in the Veterans Home in Bristol, according to one of his lawyers, Mark Mandell. The verdict was against both the drunk driver, Timothy Beauregard, 35, of Miner Street, Westerly, and Chen's Village restaurant, the Granite Street establishment that served him Polynesian drinks and beer during the day and again in the evening on May 3, 2002, Mandell said. Mandell said today's verdict was important not just because it may be the highest one ever awarded by a Washington County jury but also because it was against a bar that served an intoxicated person and did nothing to prevent the customer from getting into a car while under the influence of alcohol. -- Journal staff writer Tracy Breton In between the two trips to the bar, Beauregard went home and drank four to five beers and "a nip of Southern Comfort,'' Mandell said. The jury found the both the driver and Chen's negligent, Mandell said. He said that testimony over the almost three-week trial showed that after serving Beauregard "powerful alcoholic beverages,'' Jack Chen, a co-owner of the restaurant, did nothing to prevent him from leaving the bar just before 7 p.m. and driving away. Ernst was hit by Beauregard's car in a crosswalk near the bar, enroute to a Scottish music concert at Westerly High School. The accident occurred about two minutes after Beauregard left the bar, at 7 p.m., just a short distance away. According to Mandell, Beauregard testified that he didn't see Ernst until after he had hit him. Mandell, who tried the case with his law partner, Yvette Boisclair, said that with pre-judgment interest added, the total verdict in the civil case comes to $15.2 million. Police also charged Beauregard for driving drunk and causing serious bodily injury. He was given a 10-year suspended sentence and placed on 10 years' probation in January 2003, Mandell said. -- Journal staff writer Tracy Breton Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:00 PM Northeaster could hit region this weekendA powerful northeaster could bring heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding to the region Saturday night and Sunday, the National Weather Service predicts in a special weather statement issued this afternoon. The storm track looks like it will pass just southeast of Cape Cod and the islands Saturday night and Sunday, but the track could shift up to 100 miles northwest or southeast, according to the weather service. Depending on the track, the storm could have a "huge impact" on areas hit with the heaviest snow and the strongest winds, according to the weather service. If the track is over Cape Cod, the heaviest snow would be northwest of the Route 95 corridor, according to the weather service. A period of heavy snow would still fall along the Route 95 corridor and to the south of it, but drier air would shut off the precipitation for a while, and the snow would even change to a period of rain across far southeast Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands, the weather service says. If the snow tracks far to the southeast of Cape Cod and the islands, heavy snow would fall along and southeast of the Route 95 corridor with a light to moderate snow across the interior, the weather service says. Depending on the track and how quickly the storm intensifies, coastal areas could see gusts of 45 to 60 mph Saturday night and Sunday, according to the weather service. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also possible at high tide, depending on the track and storm intensity. Get the latest weather conditions and forecasts ... Posted by Jack Perry at 04:45 PM Station fire survivor, restaurant owner earn state's first 'Hope' awardsPROVIDENCE -- A survivor of The Station nightclub fire who set up a fund to help victims and their families and a restaurant owner who opened his doors to fire victims and rescuers will be the first recipients of the state's Hope Award. James Paolucci, the owner of the Cowesett Inn in West Warwick, and Victoria Potvin Eagan, the founder of the Station Family Fund, will be honored during a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston, Governor Carcieri's office has announced. Rhode Island’s Hope Award was developed as an annual remembrance for those affected by The Station fire. Each year, two awards will be presented to individuals who exhibited selfless acts of courage performed above and beyond the call of duty during a tragedy or an emergency. The third anniversary of the West Warwick fire, which killed 100 people and injured 200 others, is Feb. 20. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:29 PM Carcieri draws new R.I. Guard leader from S. DakotaPROVIDENCE - A 35-year veteran of the South Dakota National Guard has been chosen to lead the Rhode Island National Guard, Governor Carcieri announced this afternoon.  Brig. Gen. Robert Thomas Bray Brig. Gen. Robert Thomas Bray, 55, currently serves as the deputy commanding general for the Army National Guard at the U.S. Army Field Artillery in Fort Sill, Okla. He retired after 27 years of service with the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Department. The adjutant general serves as the commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, the director of the state Emergency Management Agency, and is the state’s liaison to the federal Department of Homeland Security. The annual salary is $85,067. Bray's appointment follows a national search. Maj. Gen. Reginald Centracchio retired from the post last September. Brig. Gen. John Enright has been serving as acting adjutant general. Posted by Jack Perry at 03:00 PM Cicilline to give 3rd State of City address tonight / UpdatedPROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline plans to deliver his third State of the City address and "share his vision for the year ahead" at 7 tonight at the Rhode Island Convention Center, according to the mayor's office. Cicilline expects to talk about the "opportunities and challenges that come with" the more than $3 billion in economic development in the city. Cicilline will announce his strategy for the rapid acceleration of school reform, and he will relate how "his dream of creating quality after-school programming for Providence children is becoming a reality through AfterZones," according to the Mayor's Web site. The mayor will also discuss the city’s efforts to ease the affordable housing crunch. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:46 PM Larry the Cable Guy adds two PPAC showsBlue-collar comic Larry the Cable Guy, whose April 29 show at the Providence Performing Arts Center is sold out, is adding two shows of his "Right to Bare Arms Tour" more than a month earlier. The comedian will perform at 7 and 10 p.m. March 24 at PPAC. Tickets, $44.75, go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the box office, at www.ppacri.org or by calling (401) 277-2787. Posted by at 10:28 AM Candidate to announce run for Secretary of StatePROVIDENCE - Political newcomer Guillaume de Ramel plans to officially announce his candidacy for Secretary of State at 1 p.m. today at the Portuguese Social Club in Pawtucket. He will face North Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis in the Democratic primary. The current office holder, Matthew Brown, is running for U.S. Senate. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:10 AM Weather service: Coastal storm could hit this weekendThe National Weather Service is warning that a strong coastal storm could hit southern New England this weekend, resulting in "significant snow" for a large portion of the region from late Saturday into Sunday. Forecasters are still uncertain on the track, strength and timing of the storm, which would affect the amount and location of the snowfall. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:33 AM Entwistle arrested in wife, daughter's slayingsBOSTON - Neil Entwistle, whose wife and infant daughter were found shot to death in their home, has been arrested for their murders, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said today. Entwistle was arrested by British authorities and faces murder charges, spokeswoman Emily LaGrassa said. "He is in police custody in England at this time," Lagrassa said. Rachel Entwistle, 27, and 9-month-old Lillian, were found shot to death in a bed in their home in Hopkinton, Mass., on Jan. 22, killed by a small-caliber bullet. - The Associated Press District Attorney Martha Coakley and Hopkinton Police Chief Thomas Irvin called a news conference for 10 a.m. to discuss the arrest. Authorities have said Neil Entwistle left the country and returned to his native England around the time of the shootings, but have not given an exact timetable. Massachusetts authorities flew to London late last month to interview Entwistle at the U.S. Embassy, but officials didn't say whether he answered any questions. He had been labeled a "person of interest" at that point but not a suspect. Police had searched the family's home the day before the bodies were discovered, but did not see anything wrong, authorities said. Coakley has said that friends had showed up for a dinner party but no one answered the door, and that Rachel Entwistle's mother called police when she couldn't reach her daughter. After a missing person's report was filed, police visited the home again. During the search, they detected an odor and discovered the bodies in the bedroom. Coakley has said the bodies were covered by bedding and "almost not visible." Rachel Entwistle and her daughter were burried on Feb. 1 at a service attended by hundreds of mourners, but not Neil Entwistle. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 08:43 AM | Comment February 08, 2006Past head of Blackstone Valley Historical Society accused of selling artifacts on eBayLINCOLN – The past president of the Blackstone Valley Historical Society, former town human services director and author of a history of the town was arrested on embezzlement charges yesterday after police said he sold artifacts from the society's collections. Charles E. Savoie, 46, of 120 Church St., was arrested on one charge of embezzlement worth more than $100 by fraudulent conversion. Deputy Chief Brian Sullivan said department investigators are inventorying the society's collections and it's possible more charges might be filed. For now, Savoie is charged with selling three items from the society collections: A Manville Fire Department chief’s helmet, a fire horn and an antique photograph. Sullivan said Savoie got $600 for the three items after putting them up for sale on the Internet auction site eBay.com. -- Journal staff writer John Hill According to police reports, a current lieutenant in the Manville Fire Department, bought them from an antique shop in Smithfield, whose owner had purchased them on eBay. The lieutenant showed them to the department’s historian, Roger Gladue, who recognized the artifacts because they had belonged to his father-in-law, the late Henri Fortier, once a chief of the Manville department. Gladue knew the items had been donated to the Blackstone Valley Historical Society on the condition that if the society no longer wanted then, it would return them to his mother-in-law. She contacted police. Savoie was arraigned yesterday and released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Besides being past president of the historical society for about a decade, Savoie was active in Manville Democratic politics, and ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for the 45th House District in 2004. He served as the town’s animal control officer for 15 years, and worked as director of human and senior services from 2001 to 2003. He also served as East Providence animal control officer. He was removed as president of the society in January after members detected financial irregularities, acting society president James Bethel said. The society had gotten shut-off threats from utilities over unpaid bills, he said, and a check of the society’s bank accounts, which should have had thousands of dollars in them, only had about $30. He said repeated efforts by society members to get Savoie to return calls or attend meetings to explain the situation failed. -- Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Jack Perry at 04:42 PM Pawtucket fire victim's death turns probe into murder casePAWTUCKET -- The probe into a Feb. 2 fire on Meadow Street has become a murder investigation, after the elderly man hurt in the fire died yesterday afternoon, fire officials said. Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin said Nocenzo Vanti, 95, died from injuries he suffered after someone threw a Molotov-cocktail type device through his bedroom window late in the night Feb. 2. Vanti suffered second- and third-degree burns as well as smoke inhalation, he said. McLaughlin said investigators from his department, the local police and state police and state Fire Marshal’s Office had already been working hard on the case. Vanti’s death "makes the offense more serious,’’ he said. -- Journal staff writer John Hill He said the fire had stunned members of the department and investigators. "I’ve been here 23, almost 24, years and that’s a rarity, to see something like that,’’ McLaughlin said. "It’s a serious thing, a sad thing.’’ The incident began around 11:30 p.m. Feb. 2 when someone threw a bottle of a flammable liquid through the front living room window of Vanti’s house at 177 Meadow St., McLaughlin said. The container ignited and engulfed the room in fire, trapping Vanti in his bedroom. McLaughlin said Vanti tried and failed to get out on his own and was removed by firefighters, but not before being fatally injured by the fire and smoke. Five firefighters sustained minor injuries in the fire. -- Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Jack Perry at 04:22 PM | Comment E. Providence man charged in fatal shooting of friendPROVIDENCE - An East Providence man was arrested today and charged with murder in the November shooting death of an 18-year-old friend on Atwells Avenue, city police said today. At about 2:30 this morning, the police arrested Donnell C. Greene, 19, at the 28 Apollo Road, East Providence, apartment he shares with his mother, according to the police. He is accused of killing Matthew "Casper" Nicholson, of 877 Atwells Ave., on the sidewalk, only steps away from his house, the police said. The police say Greene shot Nicholson once in the back as they walked along the street in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. The police describe Greene as a friend of Nicholson. Greene was arraigned on the murder charge today in District Court, Providence, and ordered held without bail. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 03:22 PM Defendants' lawyers attack state's case in lead-paint closing argumentsPROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island's case against former lead paint manufacturers is built on "big talk, but little proof," a lawyer said during closing arguments today as he urged jurors to reject a landmark lawsuit brought by the state. The state says the presence of lead paint in homes and buildings creates a widespread public nuisance and wants to hold a group of companies accountable for cleaning up the problem. The lawsuit is the first time a state has attempted to hold the industry responsible for the dangers of lead paint in old buildings. Lawyers for two of the defendants, attacking the state's case as weak, spent hours today challenging testimony from the trial. Lawyers for the state were scheduled to deliver their closing arguments tomorrow. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:22 PM Press get preview of Fenway improvements todayBOSTON -- It's not every time that members of the press are handed out hard hats and asked to wear hard-sole shoes for a media event. But that's the case today as Red Sox officials conduct a tour of the new EMC Club and Pavilion, now under construction at historic Fenway Park. President/CEO Larry Lucchino and Senior Vice President/Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith are among those expected to participate. The tour starts at 3 p.m. today. Journal sports editor Art Martone and photographer Gretchen Ertl will be on the scene. Martone's report and Ertl's photos will be on projo.com as soon as possible after the event, with more to come tomorrow on projo.com and in The Providence Journal. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:59 PM R.I.'s Maccarone gives it back to Idol's SimonAmerican Idol wiseguy judge Simon Cowell might have met his match last night when he criticized Rhode Island's Kenneth Maccarone. After hearing contestant Maccarone's version of Cher's "Believe," Cowell suggested that the 21-year-old Providence resident become a female impersonator. Considering Cowell's comment "out of line," Maccarone went right back at him, saying, "Simon, if we're going to be dressing the way we act, why aren't you wearing the backside of a pair of pants?" "I had to stick up for myself. I wasn't going to let somebody walk all over me," Maccarone said today. Maccarone, a sales representative for an importing company, watched the hit Fox television show with about 70 friends last night at the West End Cafe in Cranston. The hour-long show dealt entirely with auditions held last year in Massachusetts. Although he didn't advance to Hollywood for a contest that will be aired tonight, Maccarone considers his Idol experience positive. Starting with some 9,000 other area hopefuls at Gillette Stadium, Maccarone was among about 70 people who made it to the third round. He was contacted last night by Access Hollywood and still hopes for an entertainment career -- even if not necessarily as a singer. Missed the show? View photos of Maccarone, post messages and see a video clip of his performance on his myspace.com blog. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:52 PM Legislative panel studying Kent County Water Authority meets tonightCOVENTRY -- The special General Assembly commission studying the Kent County Water Authority will seek comments from water customers in Coventry, West Greenwich and Scituate during a special session at Town Hall tonight. A story in today's Journal had the incorrect date for tonight's session, which will start at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1670 Flat River Rd. For more background, read the corrected story. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:36 AM Bay State's Healey expected to make run for governor officialBOSTON -- Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey planned to officially announce her candidacy for governor today, hoping to extend the Republican Party's 16-year grip on the governor's seat for another four years. The announcement comes as no surprise. Healey has said she intended to seek the office if Gov. Mitt Romney opted not to seek re-eelection -- a decision he made official late last year. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 09:33 AM Chafee would win in tight races over Democratic opponents, survey findsPROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee would retain his seat in tight races against either Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse or Matthew Brown if the general election were held today, according to a survey released today by Brown University. But both Whitehouse and Brown would beat Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey, if Laffey were to win the Republican primary against Chafee, according to the survey. If the general election for Senate were held today, 40 percent of those surveyed said they would vote for Chafee, as opposed to 34 percent for Whitehouse. Twenty-six percent said they did not know or had no answer. If Brown is the Democratic nominee, Chafee’s lead is narrower, with 38 percent saying they'd vote for Chafee and 36 percent for Brown. Again, 26 percent did not know or had no answer. If the Republican nominee were Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey, Whitehouse is well ahead by 44 percent of the votes to Laffey's 29 percent. If the nominees were Laffey and Brown, Brown has an advantage of 47 percent of the vote of those surveyd to 24 percent saying they'd vote for Laffey. In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Brown is the choice of 31 percent of the 323 voters who indicated they were very likely to vote in the Democratic primary, while 25 percent say they prefer Whitehouse. None said say they plan to vote for Carl Sheeler, while 44 percent are undecided. The margin of error in this likely Democratic primary sample is plus or minus 5 percentage points. Researchers did not survey the Republican primary for U.S. Senate because the sample is too small. The survey was conducted Saturday through Monday at Brown University by Darrell M. West, director of the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions and the John Hazen White Sr. Public Opinion Laboratory. It is based on a statewide random sample of 785 registered voters in Rhode Island. Overall, the poll had a margin of error of about plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:22 AM | Comment Brown survey: Carcieri leads Fogarty in next governor's racePROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has an 11-point lead over likely Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, according to a statewide survey released this morning. The survey of 785 Rhode Island voters by Brown University's A. Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions was conducted Saturday to Monday. Its questions focused on the next statewide races, as well as how well Rhode Islanders are prepared for a major disaster. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:10 AM February 07, 2006Biechele's guilty plea accepted in Station fire casePROVIDENCE -- A guilty plea by the band manager who shot off the fireworks that ignited the disastrous Station fire was accepted in court today, drawing to a close at least one chapter in the prosecution of the case. Daniel Biechele stood straight before Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr., as the groundwork was laid for him to enter the plea to 100 counts of manslaughter in the fire that killed 100 people and injured more than 200. In a clear and careful voice, Darigan repeatedly asked Biechele if he understand what rights he was giving up in entering such a plea and what its sentencing impact would be. Biechele, dressed in an olive-gray suit and flanked by lawyers, looked directly at the judge, answering firmly either "yes, your honor" or "no, your honor" and adding either a nod or shake of his head. Darigan set Biechele's sentencing for May 8. The entire hearing lasted about 20 minutes. More to come on projo.com ... -- With reports by projo.com staff writer Jack Perry Posted by Andrea Panciera at 03:27 PM 'Vagina Monologues' to be performed at Hi-HatPROVIDENCE -- Two benefit performances of "The Vagina Monologues" will be held this month at the Hi-Hat club in Davol Square. Rebel Girl Productions will present Eve Ensler's collection of women's stories about their experiences of sexuality and abuse as part of the V-Day Worldwide Campaign. The performances will take place on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. The money raised will benefit the Sexual Assault &Trauma Resource Center, which deals with the issues of sexual assault. Last month, a performance of the play at Providence College was banned by the Catholic school's new president. While it raises important issues about violence against women, the Rev. Brian J. Shanley said then, it has no place on a Catholic college campus. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls by increasing awareness, raising money, and revitalizing the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. The "V" in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. Tickets are $35 for premiere seating and $20 for general seating. For more Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:34 PM | Comment Governor aims to rein in state's $222M deficitPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri is proposing to close a $222-million deficit through a series of cuts to entitlement programs for the poor and a set of sweeping changes to the state personnel system. As part of his proposed budget for fiscal year 2007, released today, the Republican governor is looking to force families off welfare sooner, reduce the number of poor who qualify for state-subsidized health care and require other needy residents to pay a larger share of health care and child care costs. The governor’s proposal calls for $6.58 billion in state and federal spending in the year that starts July 1, an increase of 3.6 percent from this year’s adopted budget. The portion funded with general state revenues would increase less than half a percent to $3.15 billion. Carcieri’s budget sets the tone for the rest of the legislative session, but is by no means the definitive word on state spending. The Democrat-controlled Assembly -- as it does every year -- will probably alter the tax and spending plan, adding projects and restoring cuts unpopular with constituents. More to come on projo.com today and in tomorrow's Journal... -- Scott Mayerowitz, Journal State House bureau Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:04 PM Carcieri would close all DMV satellite officesPROVIDENCE -- At least one budget cut being proposed by Governor Carcieri today is likely to catch the attention of most Rhode Islanders -- a plan to close all seven satellite offices of the state Division of Motor Vehicles. Those offices in West Warwick, Warwick, Woonsocket, Middletown, Wakefield, Westerly and Warren served nearly 307,000 people last year, more than half of the business done last year at the registry. Instead, people would have to go to the main office in Pawtucket. The move is expected to eliminate more than 17 positions and save $1.3 million. -- Scott Mayerowitz, Journal State House bureau More to come on Governor Carcieri's budget proposals later today on projo.com ... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:05 PM RI.gov deemed secure again for transactionsPROVIDENCE - Rhode Islanders can once again use their credit cards on the state Internet portal, RI.gov, after such transactions were suspended Jan. 27 because of a previous security breach, state Department of Administration Director Beverly Najarian announced today. Najarian's department decided to allow credit card transactions after, she said, an independent, third-party Internet security company, Bear Hill Software Architects, reviewed the system’s security and determined that the site is now secure. In December, hackers stole credit-card information from 4,117 transactions done at the online site early last year. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:49 AM Carcieri to announce budget proposal this afternoonPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has scheduled a press conference for 1 p.m. to announce his budget proposal. House Democrats complained last month that Carcieri was late with the tax and spending plan, which is due by the third month of January, according to state law. Carcieri's spokesman, Jeff Neal, said last month that "it took extra time to develop solutions to the looming budget deficit." Posted by Jack Perry at 09:23 AM Band manager to plead guilty today for Station fire deathsPROVIDENCE - The band manager who shot off the fireworks that started The Station nightclub fire is scheduled to plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter this afternoon in Providence Superior Court. In exchange for a guilty plea, Daniel Biechele would be sentenced to serve no more than 10 years in prison, Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. said in announcing the agreement last week. Bichele won't be sentenced today for his role in the February 2003 blaze that left 100 dead and more than 200 injured. Darigan said it could be several weeks before he imposes Biechele's sentence, because the judge wants to give the victims and families time to prepare impact reports, and he wants probation officials to compile a pre-sentencing report. Manslaughter charges are still pending against club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 06, 2006Photo: Driver in State House scare arraigned
For more background, read Saturday's Journal story. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:58 PM Governor: Trust could defray health-insurance costs for small businessesPROVIDENCE -- Saying that small businesses have been especially hard hit by increasing health insurance premiums, Governor Carcieri today proposed establishing a $100 million trust fund to help provide affordable health insurance for them. To establish the Trust for Rhode Island Health Insurance, the state would use money paid to the state annually as settlement of a 1998 lawsuit to cover the cost of tobacco-related illnesses. Carcieri said he would submit legislation to create the SelectCare program, funded by the trust fund. He estimated the program would serve 27,000 Rhode Islanders, and it would cut premium costs by 20 percent through a variety of cost-saving measures. “Through the Trust for Rhode Island Health Insurance, we will create a strong foundation that enables more employers, their employees and their families to get the health insurance that they need," Carcieri said. "This will create healthier employees, healthier families, and, in turn, a healthier Rhode Island.” Carcieri also proposed issuing $20 million in bonds to develop an electronic patient health-care information system, and he discussed a grant program for small businesses to promote health in the work place. Read more about the proposal in the governor's press release. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:33 PM Final arguments in lead-paint case to begin WednesdayPROVIDENCE -- Final arguments to the jury for the state's historic lead paint trial are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Providence Superior Court. Lawyers for each of the four defendant companies are expected to spend about one hour each summing up their cases. Each of the three state lawyers also anticipate making about an hour of arguments, so there could be two days of presentations before Judge Michael A. Silverstein gets his opportunity to charge the jury and send it away for deliberations. -- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:20 PM First Providence Geek Dinner set for WednesdayProvidence Geeks -- "Digital Innovators in the City-State -- is a new blog and a good idea. The first of what its founders, Brian Jepson, Tom Hoffman and Jack Templin, hope will be many Providence Geek Dinners is set for AS220, 115 Empire St., Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. More details and a place to RSVP in the comments at this link. Posted by Sheila Lennon at 12:11 PM Lincoln man charged in Super Bowl lotteryThe Rhode Island State Police seized $2,695 and arrested a Lincoln man yesterday after they learned that a Super Bowl lottery was being conducted at the Place of Ribs in Johnston. Members of the state police intelligence unit arrested Mark Don Francesco, 34, of 555 Great Road., Lincoln, for forms of gambling prohibited, according to information on the state police Web site. Francesco, the manager of the restaurant, was arraigned before a justice of the peace and released on $10,000 personal recognizance. Along with the money, the state police seized a chart, according to the press release. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:02 PM Gale warnings up for coastal watersThe National Weather Service has issued gale warnings for the waters off Rhode Island and the south coast of Massachusetts, as well as wind advisories for coastal areas. The weather service says intense low pressure over western Quebec will generate strong southwest winds today and tonight, with winds increasing to 25 to 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. Seas off Rhode Island and the south coast of Massachusetts were expected to run 6 to 10 feet today and tonight, according to the weather service. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:21 AM Apparel retailer Talbots buying J.JillNEW YORK -- Apparel retailer Talbots Inc. said today it agreed to acquire J. Jill Group Inc., a women's clothing retailer, for about $517 million in cash, trumping an earlier offer from Liz Claiborne Inc. Talbots' offer of $24.05 a share represents a 25 percent premium over Friday's Nasdaq closing price of J. Jill, which sells clothing for women aged 35 and older through catalogs, its Web site and retail stores. J. Jill shares soared $4.50, or 23.4 percent, to $23.70 in premarket trading. The offer tops a previous offer from Liz Claiborne, which made an unsolicited bid of $18 per share for J. Jill in November 2005 and later entered into a confidentiality agreement with J. Jill allowing it to examine its financial information. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:14 AM R.I. gas prices dip for first time since ThanksgivingPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have fallen for the first time since Thanksgiving, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline this week is $2.38 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. The price drop reverses a nine-week trend that saw the cost increase 36 cents per gallon, AAA said. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:56 AM Carcieri to announce plans for affordable, accessible health carePROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri this morning is scheduled to announce plans to establish a trust fund that he says will enable small businesses to provide their employees with affordable health insurance. Carcieri also plans to announce his proposal for a multi-million dollar technology bond to provide "anywhere, anytime" health information. He is also expected to discuss other elements of his plan to make health care more affordable and accessible during the 10 a.m. announcement at the State House. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:06 AM Star Wars merchandise powers Hasbro profit increasePAWTUCKET -- Hasbro Inc., the nation's second-largest toy maker, said today its profit rose 15 percent in the fourth quarter as overall revenue edged higher led by strong domestic sales growth powered by Star Wars merchandise. Hasbro earned $94.3 million, or 48 cents per share, for the quarter ended Dec. 25 from $81.9 million, or 44 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding the tax on the repatriation of foreign earnings, fourth-quarter earnings were $120.1 million, or 61 cents per diluted share. - The Associated Press Revenue rose 1.2 percent to $1.07 billion from $1.06 billion, as domestic toy revenue grew 16 percent. On a constant-currency basis, revenue was up 3.2 percent. On average, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast quarterly revenue of $1.1 billion. For the year, the company reported net earnings of $212.1 million, or $1.09 per share, compared to $196.0 million or 96 cents per share, in 2004. Excluding the $25.8 million impact of the tax on the repatriation of foreign earnings, 2005 full-year earnings were $237.9 million, or $1.22 per diluted share. "While I am pleased with our overall performance, in particular our Star Wars product line, the Games segment performance was below our expectations and clearly there is opportunity for improvement this year," said Alfred J. Verrecchia, president and chief executive. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 03, 2006Coming tomorrow: A religious fervor for these 2 Steelers fans?Think the Steelers don't have a prayer in Sunday's Super Bowl? Well, you haven't heard from two of their biggest fans in Rhode Island: Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence and the Rev. John Holt, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. Find out more about their Steeler fervor from Journal staff writer Richard Dujardin, in his report tomorrow on projo.com and in The Providence Journal. Posted by Jack Perry at 05:57 PM Motorist, with mother, drives car up State House stepsPROVIDENCE - A man was arrested this afternoon after he tried to drive a car up the south steps of the State House with his elderly mother in a passenger seat. Rep. Peter Kilmartin, a Pawtucket police captain, heard a "loud crash," looked out a State House window and saw the car climbing the stairs. The Dodge Diplomat made it up about 12 steps before backing down and parking off the steps. "My immediate thought was somebody is trying to drive into the building. You don't know if it's a suicide bomber, given this day and age," Kilmartin said. Kilmartin called the Capitol police, who provide security at the State House, then went outside. He led the older woman away from the man, thinking she might be a hostage, then he helped the Capitol police arrest the driver after a struggle. The man was arrested outside, near the north entrance, said Stephen Tocco, chief of the Capitol police. He was carrying a pair of sharp scissors, according to Tocco. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Kilmartin described the man as being "wide-eyed" and "jittery." He praised the Capitol police, saying, "This could have really escalated to a tragedy." Kilmartin said the incident chipped the marble State House steps and left a trail of antifreeze. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 05:16 PM | Comment Leisa Young drops suit over officer son's slayingPROVIDENCE - The mother of a slain Providence police officer has withdrawn her appeal in her lawsuit against the city, ending the years-long legal battle. Leisa Young last month appealed a jury's rejection of the lawsuit that sought to hold the City of Providence liable for the death of her son, Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. A jury on Dec. 9 found the city not liable. Young Jr., 29, was killed on Jan. 28, 2000, when he drew his gun while off-duty to help break up a brawl outside Fidas restaurant. Two on-duty officers shot him after mistaking him for an armed suspect. A statement from Leisa Young's lawyers today said: "We have decided to abandon any further appeals in the hope that closure and the passage of time will provide Leisa Young with at least a measure of the consolation that these proceedings failed to yield." -- With reports from Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick
Posted by Jack Perry at 05:15 PM EB could benefit from new Pentagon sub planElectric Boat and its thousands of submarine builders could benefit from a plan announced by the Pentagon today. The Pentagon's long-range military plan recommends doubling the construction of attack submarines. Currently, the Navy has plans for one submarine a year. The new plan calls for increasing that to two a year, starting in 2012. Design and construction of the $2 billion submarines takes several years. EB, a division of General Dynamics, has facilities at Groton, Conn., and Quonset Point in North Kingstown. Read more in tomorrow's Providence Journal and projo.com ... Posted by Jack Perry at 04:47 PM Wind boosts waves on R.I. shoresStrong south to southwest winds have kicked up high seas, prompting small-craft warnings in Narragansett Bay and gale warnings off shore for this afternoon. Seas today were 4 to 6 feet at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, 8 feet in Block Island Sound and 9 feet at the shoals south of Nantucket, according to the National Weather Service. "It's a combination of the wind speed and the fact it was acting over a long stretch of ocean" that has kicked up the big waves, said Bob Thompson, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. Southern New Englanders also saw plenty of fog, rain and rain showers today. More rain is on the way for tomorrow, according to Thompson.
Sunday should be partly clear with the temperature in the 40s, possibly reaching 50, but a shift in the jet stream could bring more wintry temperatures to the region next week. "This weekend will probably be it for the mild weather for a while," Thompson said. Get the latest weather observations, including tides and marine conditions, and forecasts at: http://projo.com/weather Posted by Jack Perry at 03:37 PM Man, 95, burned in Pawtucket house firePAWTUCKET-- Police are still investigating the cause of a house fire last Police say Nocenzo Vanti, 95, received second- and third-degree burns to his lower legs when his home at 177 Meadow St. caught fire around 11:45 p.m. yesterday. Vanti was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. A joint investigation by Pawtucket police detectives, fire department investigators and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is ongoing. -- Journal staff writer Talia Buford Posted by Jack Perry at 02:29 PM Lights turn red for American Heart MonthPROVIDENCE -- You may have noticed the red lights gleaming in the downtown skyline and atop Capitol Hill the past couple of nights. At the State House, they've been added to the white lights that shine from the marble building. They're also showing up on the Bank of American building and at One Financial Plaza. They all have a common purpose -- to highlight the start of American Heart Month and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign. Today is national Wear Red Day, as the association emphasizes the dangers of heart disease for women and efforts to prevent it. For more information, go to: http:www.americanheart.org Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:58 PM Davisville students searched in wake of bomb threatNORTH KINGSTOWN -- Teachers and police searched students as they entered Davisville Middle School this morning, following yesterday’s discovery of a bomb threat written on a bathroom wall. The backpack search turned up nothing and classes were delayed by only 12 minutes, said Principal Ruthanne Logan. Each grade also had a special assembly to discuss the threat and some bathrooms were closed for the day, said Logan. The message found in the bathroom yesterday afternoon said: “I am going to blow up the school tomorrow: 12:00.” -- Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger The threat was the first in three years, said Logan. School was dismissed at the regular time yesterday but after-school activities were cancelled. Bomb-sniffing dogs from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and airport police searched the school. Parents of students were sent notes advising them of the today’s backpack search. “We took all the necessary precautions to be confident that our school was safe,” said Logan. The culprit has not been identified, said Logan, but the school is examining student handwriting samples and bathroom sign-out sheets to see if it can determine who wrote the message. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger Posted by Jack Perry at 01:48 PM Winning student art goes on display todaySEEKONK, Mass. – The award-winning artwork of more than 200 Rhode Island middle, junior high and high school students goes on display today at Alperts Furniture Showplace, Route 6. The exhibit, open to the public during Alperts' regular business hours, showcases the artistic work of this year’s Rhode Island Scholastic Art Award winners — from painting to photography to printmaking — through Feb. 16. The Scholastic Art Awards is sponsored by The Providence Journal, in cooperation with the Rhode Island Art Education Association and community partner Alperts Furniture. For a sneak peek at some of the displayed student artwork, go to: http://projo.com/scholastic. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:19 AM Thunderstorm could roll in this afternoonPROVIDENCE -The National Weather Service calls for rain for most of today, with the chance of a thunderstorm between noon after 3 p.m. The rain should continue until 3 p.m. with a slight chance of rain after that. The unseasonally warm weather should continue, too, with a high of 53 degrees, but more rain is on the way for later tomorrow. For the latest weather conditions and forecasts, go to http://projo.com/weather/ Posted by Jack Perry at 09:56 AM Station fire victim's father won't run for AGBOSTON - The father of the youngest victim of a deadly nightclub fire in Rhode Island has decided not to run for that state's attorney general, as he had planned, and is throwing his support behind another candidate. David Kane told The Associated Press yesterday that he'll support Republican candidate William Harsch in his bid to unseat Attorney General Patrick Lynch, a Democrat. Kane, a harsh critic of Lynch for his investigation of The Station nightclub fire, had announced his intention to run for the state's top law enforcement job about 14 months after the fire killed his 18-year-old son Nicholas O'Neill and 99 others. Kane said at the time that under Lynch's administration "justice ... is not being served." -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM | Comment February 02, 2006House Democrats unveil tax-reform plansPROVIDENCE -- As expected, House Democratic leaders today announced the introduction of a major package of legislation they said is aimed at overhauling Rhode Island's tax structure to provide relief to taxpayers at all levels. The "Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006" consists of nine initiatives they say is designed to make Rhode Island more attractive to businesses and to provide tax relief to citizens while maintaining revenue for the state. At a news conference this afternoon, House Speaker William J. Murphy said, "Rather than taking a piecemeal approach to the issues that affect our tax system, we're going to look at how to make the entire system work for the state and for all its taxpayers. "The ultimate goal is to put more money directly into people's pockets both by giving relief to those who need it and by making Rhode Island a more attractive place for businesses that will provide high-paying jobs for more Rhode Islanders." The legislation addresses nine separate areas of Rhode Island tax laws. Some are new proposals; others draw on ideas that have been raised in the past as possible ways to improve the state's tax laws. They range from a personal income tax reduction to a sales tax holiday to the creation of a new Department of Revenue whose sole purpose would be to collect taxes and tax data. The proposal comes as Republican Governor Carcieri prepares to unveil his budget next week, and with it his plan for averting a potential $220-million to $240-million deficit. For details on the all proposals, read the House's press release. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 05:24 PM Langevin: Survey shows schools must rehearse emergency plansPROVIDENCE - Most of the schools responding to a survey in the state's 2nd Congressional District say they have developed a plan to protect their students, faculty and staff in an emergency, but many of them haven't adequately rehearsed those plans, according to U.S. Rep. James Langevin. In releasing the results of the Reading, Writing and Readiness Survey today at Chariho Regional High School, Langevin said, "This report illustrates that while schools recognize the importance of having active emergency plans, more needs to be done." In November 2005, Langevin mailed a 32-question survey to every public school and school district in his district, which covers the west side of Narragansett Bay, from South Providence to Westerly. Langevin received responses from 34 schools and five school districts. Fires, natural disasters and incidents where students carry guns into schools are among the reasons the nation's schools must improve their emergency preparations and responses. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:00 PM Five leaving Roger Williams Medical Center boardPROVIDENCE - The old guard is changing at Roger Williams Medical Center. Five board members who were longtime veterans of the Robert A. Urciuoli era are leaving the board, among them former chairman Herbert Cummings and Richard Licht, a former Rhode Island lieutenant governor. Edward Arditte, Raymond Mancini and Robert Gaudreau are also stepping down. The medical center announced the retirements of the five trustees today as part of a reform campaign. Under a deferred prosecution agreement that Roger Williams reached last week to resolve federal corruption charges, the medical center agreed to implement internal reforms. Posted by Jack Perry at 02:19 PM No working smoke detectors at fatal Warwick home fireWARWICK -- There were no working smoke detectors in the Hillard Avenue home that caught fire yesterday morning and claimed the life of a 40-year-old schoolteacher, the city’s assistant fire marshal said today. All three of the detectors had been removed from mounting brackets on the ceiling of the one-story home, said George W. Potter. Two of the detectors were found elsewhere in the house with their batteries removed, and the third one was not found, he said. If detectors had been mounted and functioning, Potter said, they might have given Laurie A. Cobb, the widow of a city firefighter, enough early warning to escape. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Firefighters responding to a neighbor’s telephone call at 6 yesterday morning found a Cobb lying dead on the floor. A fire was smoldering in the basement that may have been burning for several hours. Potter urged the public to make sure their smoke detectors are working and to replace their batteries regularly. "Smoke detectors are the best safety devices that man has made,’’ he said. "There isn’t anything better." For more background, read today's Journal story. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:20 PM | Comment Police identify suspect in New Bedford gay bar shooting / PhotoNEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Police were searching for an 18-year-old New Bedford man who allegedly attacked patrons of a gay bar early today with a handgun and a hatchet, wounding at least three people in an apparent hate crime. 
Jacob Robida
The man walked into Puzzles Lounge in the city's North End around midnight, armed with a handgun and "some sort of cutting instrument," according to New Bedford Police Capt. Richard Spirlet. The suspect was identified as Jacob D. Robida, 18, of New Bedford. Spirlet said the incident was being treated as a hate crime. The bartender, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Phillip, because of concerns about his safety while the attacker was being sought, told The Associated Press that the man ordered a drink and asked if Puzzles was a gay bar. - Ray Henry, Associated Press Writer Posted by Jack Perry at 10:16 AM Police investigate shooting at New Bedford gay barNEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Police were searching for a man who allegedly walked into a gay bar here early this morning and opened fire, wounding at least three people in what authorities were investigating as a hate crime. The man walked into Puzzles Lounge, in the city's North End, just after midnight, armed with a handgun and "some sort of cutting instrument," said Capt. Richard Spirlet of the New Bedford police. The man inquired whether it was a gay bar, then began shooting, according to Spirlet. - The Associated Press Two of the injured people were taken to Boston hospitals, and a third was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. The victims' names were not released. No arrests were made and the suspect remains at large, Spirlet said. Puzzles is popular with the local gay community and is listed on several Web sites offering resources to gays and lesbians. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:08 AM CVS's 4Q profit increases 60 percentWOONSOCKET -- CVS Corp., the nation's biggest drugstore chain by store count, said today that its fourth-quarter profit rose 60 percent on strong same-store sales. Net income grew to $402.8 million, or 48 cents per share, from $251.8 million, or 30 cents per share, a year ago, as gross margins improved from the increasing usage of generic drugs. The Woonsocket-based company said results included a benefit of 7 cents per share from the reversal of an income tax provision and a litigation settlement. Revenue rose 9 percent to $9.73 billion from $8.92 billion in 2004 as same-store sales for the quarter rose 6.7 percent. Pharmacy same-store sales rose 6.3 percent, and front-end same-store sales increased 7.7 percent. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM Providence police to promote six to detectivePROVIDENCE - The Providence Police Department will hold a promotional ceremony at 1 p.m. today in the Providence Public Safety Building. Mayor David N. Cicilline and Police Chief Dean Esserman will preside over the ceremony, which will promote six officers to detective. Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM February 01, 2006House Democrats to unveil tax-reform plan tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- House Democrat leaders have called a press conference for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. to "unveil a major package of legislation aimed at making significant, wide-ranging reforms to Rhode Island's tax structure." No more details were available. In a Journal story before the start of this year's General Assembly session last month, House Speaker William J. Murphy, D-West Warwick, signaled that tax-related proposals would be forthcoming. "I'm saying to myself: this year, we have to do something with taxes," he said then. Tomorrow's press conference will be held at the State House. -- Katherine Gregg, Journal State House bureau Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:51 PM Carcieri's school reforms range from longer days to no sodaPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri wants to try lengthening the school day in urban districts, extend the school year for teachers and ban the sale of soda in schools. Carcieri this afternoon unveiled an education reform agenda that, he says, will build on his administration's past efforts "to enhance teaching and learning," direct resources to underperforming schools and create "greater accountability in our schools." Carcieri's plans include $17.5 million in investments to improve math and science instruction and to support teacher preparation and improved student performance, according to his office. And to improve student health, he will submit legislation banning the sale of soda, beverages with added sweeteners and high-sugar and high-fat snacks from schools. He wants to issue bonds to improve technology at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island to better prepare the state's future teachers. Carcieri plans to submit legislation to create a statewide science curriculum at the elementary and secondary levels. He also wants to let math and science professionals teach a limited number of courses as adjunct faculty in the state's schools. He will include $150,000 in his budget for a pilot program to extend the school day until 5 p.m. in urban schools. And he wants to extend the school year for teachers and administrators to 190 days for additional professional development and training. Currently, the school year ranges from 180 to 187 days for teachers and administrators. He will also submit legislation lifting a ban on charter schools in communites with more than 9,000 students. Posted by Jack Perry at 04:21 PM Providence bar fire called 'suspicious'PROVIDENCE - An early-morning fire that damaged a bar on Douglas Avenue has been characterized as "suspicious," by Providence Fire Marshal George Farrell. The fire at Danny's Place, 176 Douglas Ave., was "incendiary in nature," according to Farrell. Firefighters found that a front window had been broken, and that the fire, reported at 2:18 a.m., started near a row of windows in the front of the building, Farrell said. Danny's Place was one of three establishments in the area that authorities said in January were linked to a major sports-betting ring. -- Journal staff writer Karen Davis Posted by Jack Perry at 03:45 PM Judge drops Corrente's community service hoursPROVIDENCE - Frank E. Corrente, convicted of corruption in the wake of an FBI probe at Providence City Hall, has been granted his wish -- he won't have to do community service. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres has granted Corrente his motion to drop the 75 hours of community service he was ordered to perform once he is released from federal prison this year. Corrente, former director of administration for ex-Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., was convicted in June 2002 of racketeering, conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion in the Operation Plunder Dome trial. Torres sentenced him to 5 years and 3 months in prison, a sentence that Torres reduced by seven months this June after a U.S. Supreme Court decision changed the way sentencing guidelines are interpreted. In December, Corrente's lawyer, Anthony M. Traini, filed a motion with the court, saying the community service "was the result of an oversight or error by the court." -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski Posted by Jack Perry at 03:08 PM Father doesn't show for Mass. funeral of slain wife,daughter / Photo
PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- Hundreds of mourners attended a funeral service today for a slain mother and her infant daughter, but the woman's husband, who flew to his native England around the time they were killed, did not attend. Rachel Entwistle, 27, and 9-month-old Lillian were memorialized in the same Roman Catholic church where the baby was baptized less than two months ago. A single wooden casket contained the remains of both mother and daughter. They were found dead in a bed in their Hopkinton home on Jan. 22, killed by small-caliber bullets. It's unclear whether the husband, Neil Entwistle, left the country before or after the shootings. He has been in contact with investigators in Massachusetts, who have labeled him a "person of interest," though not a suspect. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 02:10 PM Area's mild January was 5th-warmest on recordPROVIDENCE -- It's the first day of February, and the temperature is in the 40s. So, it may come as no surprise that the past month was the fifth warmest January on record in the Providence area, according to the National Weather Service. The average temperature of 37.2 degrees was 8.5 degrees above normal, the weather service said. As for other New England cities, Boston had its 6th warmest January at 36.6 degrees, Hartford had its 10th warmest at 33 degrees and Worcester had its fifth warmest at 32.5 degrees. The weather service temperature records go back to 1905. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:48 PM Photo: Fire guts Danny's Place in Providence
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:01 PM Warwick firefighter's widow found dead after fireWARWICK -- The widow of a city firefighter was found dead in her home this morning following a house fire, Fire Chief John E. Chartier said. Laurie A. Cobb, who turned 40 on Monday, was found dead on the first floor of her house at 354 Hillard Ave. in the Greenwood section at about 6 this morning. Firefighters found her when responding to a call from a neighbor, Chartier said. The fire appeared to have started in the basement and caused considerable smoke damage throughout the one-story Cape, Chartier said. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Fire Department and the state fire marshal’s office, Chartier said. Cobb, a teacher at Sherman Elementary School, was the widow of Michael C. Cobb, a private on Engine Company 7, who died in a hotel at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in April 2003. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider "Michael was a great guy, a great firefighter, very active in the city,’’ Chartier said. After his death, the department stayed close with his widow, whom the chief called a "terrific lady.’’ "Any fatality is tragic, but it takes a toll on the department when you lose someone who is considered a member of our extended family,’’ Chartier said. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 11:44 AM | Comment Westin skybridge to close briefly tonightPROVIDENCE - The skybridge connecting The Westin Providence hotel and Providence Place mall will be closed from 8 to 11 tonight while workers install a new carpet. -- Journal business staff Posted by Jack Perry at 11:33 AM Woman dies in Warwick home fireWARWICK - A woman died in a fire this morning at a residence at 354 Hillard Ave., according to the Warwick police. The city Police and Fire Departments are investigating, said Capt. Michael J. Babula. The call for the fire came in around 6 a.m., Babula said. No further information was available at this time. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:10 AM Carcieri to spell out education agenda todayPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri will lay out his education agenda at 1 p.m. today at a State House news conference. Carcieri will discuss several efforts to strengthen the math and science curriculums, including a $15 million bond proposal to create classrooms that infuse technology with teaching programs at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island, improve efficiency among school districts and provide funding for professional development programs, according to Carcieri's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:09 AM Electric Boat maintenance contract goes southGROTON, Conn. - The U.S. Navy has awarded a $34.7 million submarine maintenance contract to the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Newport News, Va., dealing another blow to the Electric Boat shipyard, which had been competing for the work. The contract, for work on the U.S.S. Toledo, would have provided work for nearly 800 employees in 2007, union officials said. EB has already announced plans to lay off up to 2,400 workers by the end of the year. On Monday, the shipyard announced it would lay off 222 workers at the end of March because of a continuing lack of future submarine design work and maintenance and repair jobs.
"It's a nightmare," said Metal Trades Council President Ken DelaCruz, whose union members would have performed the work on the Toledo. "It just adds injury to insult. That would have been 10 months of work. Now we've got to scramble and hope we can pick up smaller jobs." The Navy said last month that future depot-level maintenance work would be given to Navy-owned shipyards, because there isn't enough to keep two East Coast shipyards busy. "Today's announcement will accelerate our exit from the business," EB spokesman Robert Hamilton said yesterday. - The Associated Press Posted by at 09:00 AM | Comment GTECH to run first North Carolina state lotteryWEST GREENWICH -- GTECH Holdings Corp. has signed a seven-year contract to run the North Carolina lottery and supply it with instant tickets. This is the first time North Carolina has had a lottery, said Robert Vincent, a GTECH spokesman. The contract, which is expected to start at the end of next month, is expected to generate $225 million to $250 million in revenue for GTECH. - Journal staff writer Andrea Stape Posted by Jack Perry at 09:00 AM |
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