(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A grand jury is not charging Providence police officers in an excessive force case.  The public's help is being sought in the investigation of fires that tore up two Rhode Island lawyer offices.  RI-based Ocean State Job Lot has collected plenty of supplies to support Ukraine.

>>Grand Jury Wont Charge Providence Officers Who Were Suspended

(Providence, RI)  --  A Providence County grand jury has declined to charge a Providence police officer who was reportedly seen on video spitting at a suspect.  Authorities arrested three teenagers who allegedly terrorized the city in a BMW with BB guns last July.  Officer Domingo Diaz had faced the possibility of a simple assault charge.  But neither he nor a second cop who was suspended, Mitchel Voyer, will face charges for roughing up the teens during the arrest.  Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare [[ parry ]] called the body-camera images they saw from the night of the incident appalling.  The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office notes two experts did not reach an agreement on whether excessive force was used.

>>Public Defender Who Represented Marathon, Shoe Bombers Retiring

(Boston, MA)  --  Wednesday is the last formal day of work for the longtime federal public defender covering the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  The United States Courts for the First Circuit announced the pending departure of Miriam Conrad last summer.  Conrad represented several high-profile defendants, including Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev [[ joh-HAHR zar-NYE-ev ]] and Richard Reid, the man convicted of a plot to set off a bomb in his shoes on an airplane in 2001.

>>Investigators Ask Public For Assistance In Attorney Office Fires

(Undated)  --  The public is being asked to help investigations into fires at two Rhode Island law offices.  A fire last May on the 11th destroyed the Warwick office of Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, while another blaze torched the Conti Law Office in North Providence last July 20th.  Anyone who has images or videos from the nights of the fires should contact the Rhode Island Fire Marshal's Office.

>>UnitedHealthCare Fined For Denying Coverage

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner is fining UnitedHealthCare one-hundred-thousand dollars.  The Boston Globe reports the fine is due to United allegedly not following state law in making coverage decisions for treatments including drug rehab and detox.  UnitedHealthCare is not admitting wrongdoing, but the Globe reports the health insurer will have to submit a corrective action plan and address the 67 previous cases where the state determined the guidelines they used to deny coverage or reimbursement were faulty.  The time frame was between 2015 and 2018.

>>No Action From Barrington School Board On New Honors Plan

(Barrington, RI)  --  The Barrington School Committee did not take a vote Wednesday night on a proposed plan to bring back some level of high school honors program.  The school district angered students and parents by announcing that English and social studies honors classes will be dropped next school year.  Barrington High School principal Joseph Hurley said last night the proposal calls for quote-unquote "honors distinction" classes in the two subjects.

>>Ocean State Job Lot Collects Supplies For Ukraine

(North Kingstown, RI)  --  North Kingstown-based Ocean State Job Lot says it has collected six trailer loads of supplies to donate to Ukraine, according to MassLive.com.  The discount retailer is transporting the supplies overseas to Poland, where they will be distributed further on.  Ocean State Job Lot organized a relief effort across its nearly one-hundred-fifty stores in the Northeast.

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Jim McCabe/bs    MA) NH)
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-31-2022 01:55:03

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: The sale of National Grid Rhode Island is taking a big step forward.  We're learning new details about a murder in Providence.  A new chairman has been named for the council overseeing the public higher education system in the Ocean State.

>>Massachusetts A.G. Announces Settlement Affecting National Grid Sale

(Boston, MA)  --  The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office is dropping its opposition to the sale of National Grid's Rhode Island division.  Under the terms of a settlement announced on Tuesday, National Grid is required to mitigate or absorb 29-million dollars in additional annual costs caused by the sale to PPL Corp.  The Mass A.G.'s office says the deal is meant to protect Bay State National Grid customers.  The agreement is only effective if the sale is closed, as it is still being challenged by the Rhode Island Attorney General.

[[ note nature ]]

>>Woman Shot Nearly Week Before Being Discovered In Providence Home

(Providence, RI)  --  Disturbing new details are emerging from a Providence homicide case.  According to court documents, Nathan Cooper shot his girlfriend Sherbert Maddox while she was taking a shower at their apartment on Parkis Avenue on March 16th.  That was almost a full week prior to police finding the body of Maddox in a refrigerator.  Both reportedly had smoked a marijuana cigarette laced with crack cocaine before the shooting.  Cooper is currently being held without bail.

>>Meeting Held On Topic Of Newport Cliff Walk

(Newport, RI)  --  The city of Newport might hire a geotechnical firm to study the portion of the Cliff Walk attraction which collapsed earlier this month.  WPRI-TV reports that information came out of a city commission meeting held on Tuesday.  Channel 12 reports it's estimated that it could take months before repairs start on the collapsed part of the Cliff Walk near the campus of Salve Regina University.

>>Series About Michelle Carter-Conrad Roy Case Airs On Streaming Service

(Undated)  --  A Hulu series about the so-called texting suicide case involving two teenagers from Southeast Massachusetts premiered on Tuesday.  "The Girl from Plainville" is a miniseries about the events leading to the 2014 death of Conrad Roy, who was from Mattapoisett, and Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for coercing Roy to kill himself through mobile phone communications.  The character of Carter is played by Elle Fanning, while Roy is portrayed by Colton Ryan.

>>Large Fire Drill At Electric Boat Facility In Connecticut

(Groton, CT)  --  Electric Boat is conducting a major fire response exercise at its Groton, Connecticut campus on Thursday.  The drill is taking place at the shipyard during the morning hours.  Over twenty fire departments will be involved, and the company notes there may be the appearance of an actual emergency situation.

>>New Chair Of RI Postsecondary Ed Council

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is announcing a new chair of the state Council on Postsecondary Education.  Dennis Duffy will take over the position from Tim DelGiudice [[ del-JOO-diss ]], who had held the role since 2014.  The Boston Globe reported DelGiudice informed McKee earlier this year he planned to step away citing increased obligations to his job at Raytheon.  The governor's office says Duffy's day job is VP for Boston-based Energy Management Inc. and he has several decades of experience as a corporate and regulatory attorney.

###
Jim McCabe/jb  MA) 
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-30-2022 01:15:12

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A Pawtucket man is sentenced to life behind bars for a killing in New Bedford.  A bill in the Rhode Island legislature would define a new area for public shoreline access.  The state is conducting a prescribed burn today on an island in Narragansett Bay.

>>Rhode Island Man Sentenced For 2014 Killing In MA

(New Bedford, MA)  --  A Pawtucket man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a homicide in New Bedford.  Sayyid Coggins was convicted of first-degree murder for the brutal beating death of Justin Downey in 2014.  The Bristol County District Attorney's Office says Coggins and Downey apparently had a falling-out over a failed drug operation, leading to the fatal assault at Downey's residence.  Coggins was also convicted of arson for setting Downey's house on fire after the killing.

>>Pleas Entered In High-Profile Federal Gun Case

(Providence, RI)  --  A Burrillville man who was arrested for allegedly having over-two-hundred guns illegally on his property in February entered not-guilty pleas to federal felony charges on Monday.  Ronald Andruchuk was indicted for illegally possessing guns as a drug user, making a false statement to purchase guns and making a false statement to a federally-licensed firearm dealer.  Andruchuk remains at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls.  He is not due for another court appearance until July.

>>Proposed Bill Would Establish New Boundary For Public Shore Access

(Providence, RI)  --  A bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly which addresses the constitutional issue of shoreline access.  The Providence Journal reports House Bill 8055 would establish that the public has the right to be ten feet above the recognizable high-tide line on any sandy or rocky shoreline.  The bipartisan legislation is from Representatives Terri Cortvriend of Middletown and Blake Filippi of Block Island, who chaired a study commission on the issue.  A decision from the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1982 determined the public access point was the mean high water line, but the bill claims it's impossible for people to know where that is.  The bill will be the subject of a future hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,521

(Providence, RI)  --  An upwards revision has been made to the Rhode Island coronavirus pandemic death toll.  The state health department on Monday indicated there were 83 new virus deaths counted.  The COVID death toll in the Ocean State is now three-thousand-521.  The number of virus patients in Rhode Island hospitals as of yesterday was fifty-one.

>>Prescribed Burn Happening Today On Dutch Island

(Jamestown, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is conducting a prescribed fire on Dutch Island between Jamestown and North Kingstown on Tuesday, weather-permitting.  Some smoke may be visible from the Jamestown Bridge and surrounding areas.  The DEM says the controlled burn will ensure the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

>>New Affordable Housing In Providence

(Providence, RI)  --  A ribbon-cutting was held on Monday for new affordable housing in Providence.  The nonprofit group ONE Neighborhood Builders was responsible for a new building on Bowdoin Street and a rehabbed property on Delaine Street in the city's Olneyville section.  The Bowdoin Street apartment is at the site of a deadly house fire in 2018.  The apartments combined include seventeen units.  The project benefited from about four-million dollars in federal funding.  Senator Jack Reed attended yesterday's celebration.

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Jim McCabe/jb
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-29-2022 01:40:09

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: The season has ended for the Providence College men's basketball team.  Officials say it's OK to go back into the Blackstone River.  A Rhode Island congressional candidate is arrested in Ohio.

>>Providence College Men's Basketball Eliminated In Sweet 16

(Providence, RI)  --  The Providence College men's basketball team was bounced from the NCAA Tournament on Friday.  The fourth-seeded Friars lost to the number-one seed in the Midwest Regional, the University of Kansas, 66-to-61.  PC reached the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in program history after the team won its first-ever Big East Conference regular-season championship.

>>RI DEM Gives Update On Blackstone River 

(Woonsocket, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has lifted an advisory for the Blackstone River between Woonsocket and Pawtucket.  Last week, the DEM asked people to refrain from recreational activities in the river after learning about a discharge of partially-treated wastewater from the Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment facility.  The state says bacteria levels in the Blackstone have returned to normal, and that the facility's treatment process has been stabilized.  The discharge incident is being investigated.

>>State Police Advertises Special Victims Unit Interview Room, Comfort Dog

(Scituate, RI)  --  The Rhode Island State Police is developing its new Special Victims Unit.  The SVU was started last year.  On Friday, the state police held an open house for a quote-unquote "soft interview room" to make people more comfortable talking with detectives.  The RISP has also added a comfort dog to the new unit, a goldendoodle puppy named Gus.

>>Rhode Island Congressional Candidate Arrested In Ohio

(Undated)  --  A candidate for Congress in Rhode Island is facing charges out-of-state.  Michael Neary, a Democrat running for Jim Langevin's seat, was arrested in Ohio last week after a driver reported being followed from Columbus for about 60 miles.  Neary, who previously worked as an aide for Ohio governor John Kasich [[ KAY-sick  ]], was charged with menacing by stalking and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

>>MBTA Makes FlexPass Permanent Commuter Rail Option

(Providence, RI)  --  The MBTA is making permanent a commuter rail fare option that was introduced as a way to give more flexibility to riders whose work schedules were changed by the pandemic.  The FlexPass allows for unlimited travel within a 24-hour period.  It's valid for any five days within a month of being activated.  The pass is offered at a discount rate compared to the cost of ten one-way trip tickets.

>>Gillette Stadium Replacing Lighthouse

(Foxboro, MA)  --  Gillette Stadium is undergoing its first major renovations since opening up twenty years ago.  The iconic lighthouse at the stadium's entrance was demolished last week.  A replacement lighthouse is being built.  It will be over two-hundred feet tall with an observation deck.  The structure is expected to be ready in time for the 2023 New England Patriots' season.

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Jim McCabe/jb  OH)
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-28-2022 01:24:13

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A teenager is facing charges for a stabbing in downtown Providence.  A medical marijuana dispensary permit is denied in Woonsocket.  The city of Newport is announcing new rules governing short-term rentals.

>>Arrest Made For Providence Stabbing

(Providence, RI)  --  An arrest has been made in connection to a stabbing in Providence on Wednesday night.  The Providence Police Department says a 19-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries from the stabbing in Waterplace Park.  The victim was listed in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.  The Providence Journal reports a 15-year-old boy was picked up for felony assault.

>>RI DCYF Says Abuse A Factor In Child's Death

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families has ruled that abuse was a contributing factor in the death of a child last year.  The case involves a five-year-old boy who died in West Warwick in September.  The DCYF reportedly did not have any previous involvement with the family.  No names have been released.

[[  note nature  ]]

>>School Custodian Faces Charges

(Cranston, RI)  --  A custodian at a school in Cranston is facing child pornography charges.  The Rhode Island State Police says 34-year-old Michael Macari is accused of possessing and distributing materials.  The state police said they found no evidence that Macari had any inappropriate contact with students at Western Hills Middle School.  He worked in the Cranston School District for about five years and has been placed on leave.

>>Gas Tax Cut In Connecticut

(Hartford, CT)  --  A 25-cent cut in the state gasoline tax has been approved in Connecticut.  The gas tax holiday will last until June 30th.  Triple-A reported the average gas price in Connecticut as of Thursday was four dollars and 32 cents.  Rhode Island's current average is about a dime less.

>>Proposed New Medical Marijuana Centers In Rhode Island Encountering Problems

(Undated)  --   Rhode Island's medical marijuana industry is struggling through an expansion effort.  Lawmakers three years ago approved six new dispensaries and a lottery was held.  But WPRI-TV reports one of the compassion centers has been denied a special use permit to open in Woonsocket.  The city's zoning board last week rejected a proposal to open a center in a strip mall on Diamond Hill Road.  Two other lottery winners, which are in South Kingstown and Cranston, have also not yet gotten their required zoning approvals, with a deadline approaching in July.  A disqualified applicant is still appealing the handing-out of one of the other licenses.

>>Newport Restricting Short-Term Rentals

(Newport, RI)  --  The city of Newport is restricting where short-term rental homes can be located.  Property owners in residential zones are no-longer permitted to rent out their houses for less than thirty days unless the home serves as a primary residence.  Up to two rooms can be rented to a maximum of four guests.  Short-term rentals are also being prohibited in Newport's Limited Business Zone unless a special use permit is granted by the Zoning Board of Review.  The city is requiring owners to register their rental homes as a transient guest facility.

>>Whitehouse Presses Alabama A.G. On Legitimacy Of Biden Holding Office

(Washington, DC)  --  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall declined to confirm a question from Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse during Thursday's Supreme Court nominee hearing about the legitimacy of Joe Biden's presidency.  Whitehouse repeatedly asked Marshall if Biden is the duly-elected and lawfully-serving president of the United States.  Marshall only responded by saying, quote, "He is the president of this country".  Whitehouse was participating in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Marshall was in Washington to testify in opposition.  Whitehouse later tweeted, "If you cannot accept the results of a free and fair democratic election, you have no grounds to criticize or evaluate a Supreme Court nominee."

>>Friars Versus Jayhawks Tonight

(Providence, RI)  --  The Providence College men's basketball team plays in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night.  Fourth-seeded PC takes on number-one seed Kansas at the United Center in Chicago.  Tipoff is at 7:29 p.m. Eastern Time.  The Friars are bidding for their third-ever appearance in the tournament Final Four.

###
Jim McCabe/jb AL)
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-25-2022 01:32:13

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: There is a new chief of police in Westerly.  A man has agreed to plead guilty to a new charge in connection to the 2020 Providence riots.  A Cranston native plays in his first game with the Boston Red Sox.

>>No New COVID Deaths Reported Yesterday In Rhode Island

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported zero new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday.  The pandemic death toll for the Ocean State is three-thousand-431.  The state reported one-hundred-40 new virus cases yesterday and 64 COVID hospital patients.

>>New Police Chief Named In Westerly

(Westerly, RI)  --  The town of Westerly has a new police chief.  Paul Gingerella [[ JIN-jer-ELL-uh  ]] was promoted from the rank of lieutenant.  Former police chief Shawn Lacey became the Westerly town manager last month.

>>Catalytic Converter Thieves Target North Kingstown School Department Vehicles

(North Kingstown, RI)  --  Channel 10 reports catalytic converters were stolen from two North Kingstown school buses last week.  Several maintenance vehicles for the school district were also hit.  The North Kingstown Police Department is investigating.

>>Man Pleading To New Charge In Providence Police Car Fire Case

(Providence, RI)  --  A man accused of helping to set a Providence police cruiser on fire during the June 2020 riot is pleading guilty to a lesser federal charge.  The Providence Journal reports Nicholas Scaglione of Cranston agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit arson last week, a downgrade from a charge of attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire, which carried a minimum sentence of five years.  That is now the maximum amount of time Scaglione faces at a future sentencing.

>>Ed Pacheco Drops Out Of RI-2 Congressional Race

(Undated)  --  A candidate for the Rhode Island 2nd Congressional District is dropping out.  Ed Pacheco, a former state representative and the chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, says he does not believe the money is there to support a competitive campaign.  Longtime incumbent Congressman Jim Langevin is retiring after his current term ends.

>>Thomas Pannone Of Cranston Signed By Red Sox

(Fort Myers, FL)  --  A Cranston native made his debut with the Boston Red Sox last weekend.  Pitcher Thomas Pannone picked up a save in the Sox spring training win against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.  Pannone tallied nearly one-hundred Major League strikeouts in two seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Red Sox signed the 27-year-old Bishop Hendricken alum to a minor league contract earlier this month.

###
Jim McCabe/jb
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-23-2022 01:35:13

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Rhode Island reaches a final settlement for an opioid crisis lawsuit.  A Pawtucket police officer accused of an improper shooting last summer is facing new charges.  Rhode Island State Police Superintendent James Manni is taking a town manager job.

>>One Last Settlement Reached In Rhode Island Opioid Lawsuit

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office says the state is concluding its principal litigation against the opioid industry.  A new settlement with the drugmakers Teva and Allergan will pay twenty-eight-point-five million dollars and free addiction and overdose treatment.  A.G. Peter Neronha says Teva is agreeing to supply enough Naloxone to meet projected demand for the next decade.  In total, Neronha negotiated over two-hundred-fifty-million dollars for opioid treatment, rescue, prevention and recovery in Rhode Island.

>>Rhode Island Motorist Killed In I-95 Crash ID'd

(East Greenwich, RI)  --  The driver from Rhode Island who was killed in a crash on Route 95 in Massachusetts last week has been identified.  Benjamin Galiatsatos was a 27-year-old from East Greenwich.  The single-vehicle wreck which happened last Thursday in Foxboro remains under investigation.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,431

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported two new coronavirus deaths this past weekend.  The pandemic death toll for the Ocean State as of Monday's update was three-thousand-431.  There were nearly four-hundred new virus cases.  However, the COVID patient count in Rhode Island hospitals continues to drop, it's down to 61.

>>Pawtucket Policeman Charged With Shooting Appears In Court

(Warwick, RI)  --  A Pawtucket police officer charged for shooting a civilian last year was arraigned on Monday on an unrelated charge.  Daniel Dolan pleaded not guilty in Kent County Court to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and vandalism.  The charges stem from a domestic incident, according to court documents.  Dolan, while off-duty last June, stopped a teenage driver in a parking lot off Route 3 in West Greenwich and shot at him when he drove away, causing non-life-threatening injuries.  WPRI-TV reports a judge granted Dolan bail yesterday and ordered him to have no contact with his wife or children.

>>Head Of RISP James Manni Returning To Town Manager Role

(South Kingstown, RI)  --  The superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police is becoming the town manager of South Kingstown.  Colonel James Manni is set to transition to the new job next month after the S.K. Town Council approved the appointment on Monday.  Manni used to be the town manager of Narragansett.  Another South County town saw its former police chief become the town manager in February.  That happened in Westerly.

>>Popular Free Tree Program Returns

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is joining several partners to provide one-thousand free trees to residents this spring.  The popular program is in its thirteenth year.  The DEM says the strategic planting of trees on properties helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower utility bills.  Registration is required and a link can be found on the DEM website.

###
Jim McCabe/jb 
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-22-2022 00:40:13

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A Rhode Island official outside of Providence apologizes for a negative comment about people from the city.  Providence College men's basketball has reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.  Gas prices are stabilizing.

>>Police Investigating Providence Stabbing 

(Providence, RI)  --  A man reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries from a stabbing in Providence on Sunday night.  The incident happened on Pennsylvania Avenue in the capital city's Lower South Side section at around 7:30.  WPRI-TV reports the victim was stabilized at Rhode Island Hospital.  The Providence Police Department is looking for a suspect.

>>Pawtucket Police Officer Faces New Charge 

(Pawtucket, RI)  --  The Pawtucket police officer who has been charged for the shooting of a civilian is facing a new count from the state.  The attorney for Daniel Dolan tells WJAR-TV he has been arrested for disorderly conduct on top of the original charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and discharge of a firearm during a crime.  Dolan, while off-duty last June, attempted to detain an 18-year-old driver in West Greenwich and shot him when he fled, causing non-life-threatening injuries.

>>Apology Issued For "People From Providence" Comment

(Charlestown, RI)  --  A South County official is saying sorry for a comment about the residents of Providence that was viewed as racially insensitive.  At a town council meeting last week, Charlestown Emergency Management Agency director Kevin Gallup said there would need to be a police detail for food trucks to cover the possibility of, quote, "people showing up from Providence".  Mayor Jorge Elorza called the comment coded and derogatory and said public officials must hold themselves to higher standards.  Elorza has accepted an apology from Gallup, who directed it toward people of color everywhere for the meaning of his words.

>>Friars Basketball Beats Richmond To Advance In Tourney 

(Providence, RI)  --  The Providence College men's basketball team is dancing in the Sweet 16.  The Friars beat the University of Richmond in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, 79-to-51.  PC, which has two Final Four appearances in team history but has never won the championship, hasn't gotten this far in the tournament since 1997.  Their next game is against number-one-seed Kansas at the United Center in Chicago on Friday night.

>>Providence 7-Day Forecast Lacking Any Winter Weather 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Islanders will get to enjoy some spring weather in the first official week of the season.  The National Weather Service is forecasting highs mainly in the 50s for the Providence area for the next seven days.  Expect sunny skies Monday and Tuesday, followed by chances for rain Wednesday and Thursday.

>>RI Gas Prices Down About 15 Cents From Peak 

(Undated)  --  The average Rhode Island gas price has eased downward since reaching a record earlier this month.  RIGasPrices.com says the current total is four dollars and 23 cents.  At the peak of the March increase related to the Russian war in Ukraine, the average price in the Ocean State reached four-37.

>>Legislation Filed To Procure More Wind Power 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is pushing forward a plan from his predecessor to boost the state's renewable energy commitment.  The Providence Journal reports legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly at McKee's request to issue a request for proposals this summer to purchase six-hundred megawatts of electricity from offshore wind turbines.  Rhode Island is home to the nation's first wind farm off Block Island, which produces thirty megawatts.  National Grid has also contracted to buy four-hundred megawatts from the Revolution Wind project that has been proposed in the Rhode Island Sound.

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Jim McCabe/bs             RI) BN)
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-21-2022 00:54:07

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A legislative hearing is held on a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island.  Former governor Gina Raimondo returns to Rhode Island for a speaking engagement.  Cox Communications is announcing a big investment in the Ocean State's internet infrastructure.

>>Rhode Island Legislative Committee Holds Marijuana Hearing 

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday night about a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.  WPRI-TV reports Governor Dan McKee opposed the plan to create a cannabis control commission which would oversee the industry because he would have to select commissioners from lists provided by the leaders of the Senate and House.  The Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association testified that marijuana is a dangerous drug which harms public health and safety.

>>Bill Approved Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent

(Washington, DC)  --  A bill locking-in Daylight Saving Time as the nation's permanent time is closer to becoming law.  The U.S. Senate approved it unanimously in a voice vote, sending the measure to the House.  The bill partially sponsored by Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse would end the twice-yearly changes we make to our clocks.

>>Gina Raimondo Speaks At Brown University Lecture 

(Providence, RI)  --  Former Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo spoke publicly in the state for the first time since become U.S. Commerce Secretary on Tuesday.  Raimondo participated in a lecture event with the president of Brown University.  Raimondo talked about the war in Ukraine and the role she played in the Biden administration's sanctions against Russia.  She said it is essential that the U.S. brings manufacturing back through public-private partnerships.

>>Cox Announces Investment In Rhode Island Internet Infrastructure 

(Newport, RI)  --  Cox Communications is announcing a three-year, 120-million-dollar investment to upgrade its broadband network across Rhode Island.  Governor McKee was among those who spoke at a press conference about the investment at the Old Colony House in Newport on Tuesday.  Officials said the money will help build a system with multi-gigabit speeds for residents and businesses.  Some of the funds will be used to create one-hundred-percent fiber-optic buildouts for the towns of Aquidneck Island.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,423

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported one new coronavirus death on Tuesday.  The pandemic death toll in the Ocean State increased to three-thousand-423.  The number of new virus cases was one-hundred-77.

[[ note nature ]]

>>Woman Sentenced For Child Porn Possession 

(Providence, RI)  --  A Rhode Island woman is being sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.  The Justice Department says 25-year-old Karissa Cave of Newport pleaded guilty to the charge in 2020.  Prosecutors said Kave received explicit videos through Facebook Messenger.  The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

>>Prescribed Burn Coming Soon On RI Island 

(Jamestown, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is conducting a prescribed burn on Dutch Island in Narragansett Bay between Jamestown and North Kingstown.  The fire will be set sometime in the next 30 to 45 days, depending on when the conditions are right.  The DEM says this is an ecological restoration project as well as an opportunity for firefighters to train for future emergencies.
 
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Jim McCabe/jb        RI)  
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-16-2022 00:35:05

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: The Ocean State gas price increase is slowing down.  A man is facing charges for an incident on Route 6.  The state of Rhode Island is allowing a dentist who did not comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to resume his practice. 

>>Rhode Island Gas Price Average: $4.33

(Undated)  --  The average gas price in Rhode Island as of overnight Tuesday was four dollars and 33 cents, according to RIGasPrices.com.  The gas price spike has slowed in the Ocean State, as the current price is a nickel above the total from one week ago.  Rhode Island remains right at the same number as the national average, which has reached a record. 

>>Man Charged After Allegedly Ditching Police At Seekonk Store 

(Seekonk, MA)  --  A Providence man is facing multiple charges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for an incident that happened on Monday.  Albert Rosario allegedly struck a police officer with a car while fleeing the scene of a shoplifting incident at the Home Depot off Route 6 at around noon.  Reports indicate Rosario hit several vehicles on the highway before crashing in East Providence.  The police officer who was hit, as well as one of the other drivers, were hospitalized for minor injuries.

>>Dentist Who Didn't Comply With COVID Policy Allowed To Practice Again 

(Cranston, RI)  --  A Rhode Island dentist who sued over the state's requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is being allowed to work again.  WPRI-TV reports Dr. Stephen Skoly was notified that he could re-open his practice last week.  The Rhode Island Department of Health said the compliance order was related to an emergency regulation that has expired.  Skoly, whose practice on Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston was shut down last October, has avoided getting the shot because he says he has a history of Bell's palsy.  Channel 12 reports Skoly's legal team has withdrawn a federal restraining order request, but is still discussing whether to drop a pending lawsuit.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,422

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported one new coronavirus death over the weekend.  The pandemic death toll for the Ocean State as of Monday's update was three-thousand-422.  There were over four-hundred new virus cases.  The number of COVID patients in Rhode Island hospitals is down to seventy.

[[ note nature ]]

>>New Report On Alleged "Naked Fat Test" Scandal In N.K. 

(North Kingstown, RI)  --  A new report has been released concerning the quote-unquote "naked fat test" scandal involving the former boys' basketball coach at North Kingstown High School.  The independent investigation from attorney Matthew Oliverio into the alleged actions of Aaron Thomas, conducted on behalf of the North Kingstown School District, focuses criticism on the superintendent who resigned last week.  It claims that Philip Auger did not properly follow up to make sure the alleged fat tests had stopped.  Thomas has not been criminally charged in the case and he has denied any wrongdoing.

>>Rhode Island Tire Magnate Dies 

(Warwick, RI)  --  A Rhode Island businessman who was known for his appearances in TV commercials has died.  Leon Kayarian of Warwick was 93 when he passed away last month.  Kayarian constructed the Dayton Tire Warehouse on Route 95 in Cranston in 1964.  According to a story from The Providence Journal, Kayarian once shaved his head for a commercial to warn drivers not to go out on bald tires.  His obituary claims Kayarian's tire changeover business revolutionized the industry.  His funeral was held on Friday.

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Jim McCabe/jb          RI)  
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-15-2022 01:50:08

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A Rhode Island high school hockey player who was killed by an alleged drunk driver was honored this weekend.  CVS has fired several executives.  Providence College and Bryant University have learned their opponents in the NCAA Tournament. 

>>Memorials For Rhode Island High School Hockey Player Who Died  

(West Warwick, RI)  --  The Boston Bruins honored a Rhode Island high school hockey player who was killed in a car crash involving an alleged drunk driver on Saturday.  The Bruins hung a customized Matt Dennison jersey behind their bench before their home game versus Arizona.  Dennison, the captain of the West Warwick-Exeter-West Greenwich team, died on Thursday after the crash in Exeter which happened on February 12th.  There was a moment of silence for Dennison at the Rhode Island Division 1 boys' hockey championship at Schneider Arena, Providence College on Friday. 

>>Multiple Crashes During Weekend Snowstorm; Weather Warming Up 

(Lincoln, RI)  --  Saturday night's snowstorm caused a half-dozen car crashes on Route 146 in Lincoln.  Twelve cars were involved total, according to the Rhode Island State Police, which reported four hospitalizations for minor injuries.  Only one inch or less of snow was measured across the state, according to the National Weather Service.  The forecast for the Providence area calls for more spring-like temperatures this week, with a shot at highs in the 70s on Friday.

>>"Swatting" Incident In Southeast Massachusetts

(Taunton, MA)  --  Authorities are investigating a "police swatting" incident in Taunton, Massachusetts.  A large police response was drawn to a residence on Williams Street last Thursday after someone reportedly told a dispatcher that someone had just been murdered at the address.  Officers realized it was a hoax when they saw there was no one home, and they eventually made contact with the homeowner who was apparently not the source of the call.  Several neighboring houses were briefly evacuated.  The Taunton police chief says "swatting" is an extremely dangerous crime to commit.

>>Man With Large Cache Of Guns Ordered Held Without Bail

(Providence, RI)  --  A judge on Friday ordered Ronald Andruchuk of Burrillville to remain at the Wyatt Detention Facility without bail on federal firearms charges.  Police reportedly found over two-hundred guns on Andruchuk's property when he was arrested last month.  He is charged with possession of a gun by a prohibited person for a previous drug record, and also lying on a firearm application.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Sullivan cited new evidence in the case that reveals deep mental health and substance abuse issues.

>>CVS Fires Execs After Investigation 

(Woonsocket, RI)  --  CVS Health has fired several executives after an internal investigation into their handling of sexual harassment allegations in the company.  The Wall Street Journal reports CEO Karen Lynch took the action after becoming aware of complaints about alleged inappropriate activity from a regional manager in New Jersey.  CVS said it will not tolerate such inaction, and that the allegations were not treated with a level of expected seriousness.

>>Returning To Play Football Next Season: Tom Brady, Devin McCourty 

(Undated)  --  Tom Brady is un-retiring to once again quarterback the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Brady is returning for his 23rd season.  Meanwhile in Foxboro, three-time Super Bowl-winning Patriots safety Devin McCourty is signing a one-year deal reportedly worth nine-million dollars.  McCourty will be playing his thirteenth season for New England.

>>Providence, Bryant Men's Basketball Teams Set To Dance 

(Undated)  --  Providence College and Bryant University are the Rhode Island representatives in this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament, which was bracketed on Sunday.  PC got a number-four seed after losing to Creighton in the second round of the Big East Tournament.  They will play South Dakota State on Thursday.  Bryant, which is playing in its first-ever Division 1 tournament, must win a play-in game to earn the number 16 seed versus Wright State on Wednesday. 

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Jim McCabe/jb          RI) MA) NJ)  Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-14-2022 00:21:06

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A Rhode Island high school hockey player who was injured in a crash has died.  State regulators are determining the fate of a Rhode Island Italian-American club where a fatal shooting occurred.  Legislative leaders unveil a package of bills aimed at addressing the Ocean State housing crunch. 

>>West Warwick Teen Injured In Drunk-Driving Crash Has Died 

(West Warwick, RI)  --  A West Warwick teenager who was injured in a serious crash last month has died.  Seventeen-year-old Matt Dennison was the captain of the West Warwick, Exeter and West Greenwich boy's hockey team.  He had been at Rhode Island Hospital since the February 15th crash on Ten Rod Road in Exeter which was allegedly caused by a DUI.  The driver facing charges is Alexander Krajewski of North Kingstown. 

[[ note nature ]]

>>Hearing Shows Leadup To Shooting At Warren Club 

(Providence, RI)  --  EastBayRI.com reports the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation held a hearing Thursday over the fate of the Italo-American Club in Warren following a fatal shooting last September.  The hearing was continued as no decision was made yesterday on whether the town of Warren rightfully revoked the club's liquor license.  The gunman, Michael Ouellette of Warren, shot and killed assistant town fire chief Brian Remy inside the bar and engaged in a shootout with police outside his residence before killing himself.  New details shared at the hearing indicated Ouellette had six beers prior to shooting Remy in the back of the head and wounding one other person.  The issue debated yesterday was whether Ouellette should have been cut off by the bartender. 

[[ watch for updates ]]

>>Fog Could Mean Black Ice This Morning 

(Undated)  --  The National Weather Service says freezing fog may produce areas of black ice Friday morning in the Providence area and in southeast Massachusetts.  Drivers who encounter fog should be aware of the dangerous conditions.  Forecasters are tracking a snow possibility for Southern New England on Saturday.

>>RI Gas Price Average: $4.36

(Undated)  --  RhodeIslandGasPrices.com reported the average price for a gallon in the Ocean State was four dollars and 36 cents as of overnight Friday.  The price has increased nearly one dollar from a month ago.  Rhode Island's average gas price is currently the same as the national total. 

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,421

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island public health department reported two new coronavirus deaths on Thursday.  The pandemic death toll in the Ocean State increased to three-thousand-421.  There were one-hundred-64 new virus cases counted in RI yesterday and 89 COVID patients were hospitalized. 

>>Rhode Island Legislative Leaders Unveil Housing Bills 

(Providence, RI)  --  A package of nearly a dozen bills was unveiled at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday to address the state's housing crisis.  The bills came out of a commission created by the legislature to address the issue.  One which is likely to cause pushback over the issue of local municipal control would let single-family homeowners add accessory units to their properties.  Cities and towns would be banned from limiting the tenants to family members, according to The Providence Journal.  Another bill proposes a nine-month time limit on decisions from the state housing appeals board and gives developers the automatic win if no decision is reached.

>>Rhody Bounced From A-10 Tourney, Friars Win Big 10 Opener 

(Undated)  --  The University of Rhode Island's men's basketball season is over after a 64-to-59 loss versus Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Tournament second round on Thursday night in Washington, DC.  Providence College won its Big 10 Tournament opener over Butler, 65-to-61.  The Friars will play Creighton next at 6:30 tonight at Madison Square Garden. 

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Jim McCabe/jb          RI) MA)  
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-11-2022 02:46:06

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: A new director has been named for the Rhode Island agency that advocates for older citizens.  A Rhode Island lawmaker proposes decriminalizing magic mushrooms.  Three NCAA Division 1 men's basketball teams from the Ocean State remain alive in March Madness. 

>>Some Snow Measured In RI Wednesday, Temperature Roller Coaster Ahead

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island is climbing unsteadily into spring.  A shot of winter weather on Wednesday left about three inches of snow in Burrillville, Foster and Warwick, according to the National Weather Service.  The forecast from the weather service calls for high temperatures in the Providence area to swing between the 50s and 30s over the next seven days.

>>New Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging Director Appointed

(Providence, RI)  --  Governor Dan McKee has announced the appointment of a new director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging.  The position is going to Maria Cimini, a former state representative with an extensive career in social work and public policy, according to the governor's office.  Cimini's most-recent position was associate director at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.  The Healthy Aging Office director position became vacant when previous director Rose Amoros resigned amid controversy last summer. 

>>Proposal In Rhode Island Legislature To Legalize Shrooms 

(Providence, RI)  --  A Rhode Island lawmaker has proposed decriminalizing possession of magic mushrooms.  The hallucinogenic drugs are currently only legal for medical use in one other state, Oregon, which took that action in 2020.  The Providence Journal reports state Representative Brandon Potter, a Cranston Democrat, put forward the bill because he says there is evidence magic mushrooms are effective in treating mental health issues.

>>Zero New RI COVID Deaths Reported Wednesday 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported zero new coronavirus deaths on Wednesday.  Yesterday was the second straight day of no new virus deaths in the Ocean State.  The number of new virus cases was one-hundred-47, and the COVID patient count in Rhode Island hospitals remained below one-hundred. 

>>University Of Rhode Island Men's Basketball Still Dancing 

(Undated)  --  March Madness has arrived in Rhode Island.  The URI Rams men's basketball team, needing a conference tournament win to get to the dance, won its Atlantic 10 playoff opener in Washington, DC on Wednesday, 79-to-77 over Duquesne.  Rhody will play Richmond next on Thursday night.  Providence College, which has already punched its ticket, hosts Butler in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden this afternoon.  Bryant University is awaiting its opening opponent in the NCAA Tourney after winning its first-ever Division 1 conference championship on Tuesday.

>>New Flights At T.F. Green 

(Warwick, RI)  --  Frontier Airlines is announcing new routes from T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island.  The ultra-low-fare airline will launch nonstop service between Warwick and two new destinations: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina and its headquarters in Denver, Colorado.  The service begins in the spring and is scheduled to operate on a seasonal basis. 

>>Westerly Route 1 Project Website Launched 

(Westerly, RI)  --  A new website has been launched for the town of Westerly's development plan to revitalize the U.S. Route 1 corridor.  The website, which launched this week, is Route1Westerly.com with the number typed out.  Town officials say community engagement with the project is critical.  The Westerly Sun reports about a thousand letters were sent on Tuesday to property owners on the corridor to encourage their participation.

>>"The Gilded Age" Seeking Sporty Actors For Filming In Newport 

(Newport, RI)  --  HBO series The Gilded Age is coming back to Newport for its upcoming second season.  Several Newport mansions hosted scenes in the premiere season which aired in January.  Rhode Islanders are once-again being invited to a casting call.  The show is looking for highly-skilled tennis players who will be playing characters in a match from the 1880s.  The scenes will be filmed in May.

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Jim McCabe/jb          RI) OR)  
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-10-2022 02:12:12

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Rhode Island gas prices have reached a new record.  Providence is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the remaining few city workers who have not complied.  The head of the Rhode Island Health and Human Services Department is resigning.

>>Rhode Island Gas Price Average About Four And A Quarter 

(Undated)  --  The average Rhode Island gas price as of overnight Tuesday was four dollars and 23 cents, according to RIGasPrices.com.  The state average, as well as the national average of four-15, are new records, and prices are expected to continue increasing due to the Russian war in Ukraine.  To relieve the pain at the pump, President Biden is considering easing sanctions on Venezuela, who along with Russia is a major oil producer.

>>Providence No-Longer Requiring Remaining Unvaccinated To Get COVID Shots 

(Providence, RI)  --  The city of Providence is adjusting its coronavirus vaccination policy for the remaining few employees who have not gotten the shot.  Ninety-five percent of the municipal workforce is vaccinated, according to WPRI-TV.  Those who are not can instead comply with the mandate by getting weekly virus testing.  The Providence Journal reports the capital city's police department stood to lose about thirty officers for non-compliance with the requirement to get vaccinated as of late February.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,419

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported two new coronavirus deaths this past weekend.  The pandemic death toll in the Ocean State as of Monday's update was three-thousand-419.  The number of new virus cases was about three-hundred-fifty.  There were less than one-hundred COVID patients counted in Rhode Island hospitals.

>>RIPTA CEO, Former Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian Injured In Crash

(Warwick, RI)  --  Former Warwick mayor and current head of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Scott Avedisian [[ AV-uh-DEE-zhin ]] was reportedly injured in a motor vehicle accident over the weekend.  The solo rollover crash happened Sunday night on Warwick Neck Road in Warwick.  Avedisian was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Warwick police.  The crash is under investigation.  The RIPTA CEO has not been cited or charged.

>>Fire Destroys House In Central Falls

(Central Falls, RI)  --  A fire destroyed a multi-family home in Central Falls on Monday afternoon.  WPRI-TV reports two firefighters who responded to the house on Barber Avenue were treated for heat exhaustion.  The Rhode Island Fire Marshal told the news station the cause was electrical.  The fire started on the first floor from lithium batteries inside a device that was plugged in.  The Red Cross is assisting the four adults and two children who were displaced.

>>RI Health And Human Services Secretary Stepping Down 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary Womazetta Jones is resigning.  Jones was appointed by former governor Gina Raimondo in 2019.  The Chicago native says she is leaving for family reasons.  Governor McKee's office says an interim secretary will be named before Jones departs on May 1st.

>>Patriots Release Linebacker Kyle Van Noy

(Foxboro, MA)  --  The New England Patriots are moving on from a two-time Super Bowl champion.  The Pats have released linebacker Kyle Van Noy.  The 30-year-old was set to earn about seven-and-a-half-million dollars against the salary cap this upcoming season.  Van Noy signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last March after a previous three-year stint with the team.

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Jim McCabe/nf         RI)  IL) 


Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-08-2022 02:20:06

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Rhode Island gas prices have reached a new record.  Providence is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the remaining few city workers who have not complied.  The head of the Rhode Island Health and Human Services Department is resigning.

>>Rhode Island Gas Price Average About Four And A Quarter 

(Undated)  --  The average Rhode Island gas price as of overnight Tuesday was four dollars and 23 cents, according to RIGasPrices.com.  The state average, as well as the national average of four-15, are new records, and prices are expected to continue increasing due to the Russian war in Ukraine.  To relieve the pain at the pump, President Biden is considering easing sanctions on Venezuela, who along with Russia is a major oil producer.

>>Providence No-Longer Requiring Remaining Unvaccinated To Get COVID Shots 

(Providence, RI)  --  The city of Providence is adjusting its coronavirus vaccination policy for the remaining few employees who have not gotten the shot.  Ninety-five percent of the municipal workforce is vaccinated, according to WPRI-TV.  Those who are not can instead comply with the mandate by getting weekly virus testing.  The Providence Journal reports the capital city's police department stood to lose about thirty officers for non-compliance with the requirement to get vaccinated as of late February.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,419

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported two new coronavirus deaths this past weekend.  The pandemic death toll in the Ocean State as of Monday's update was three-thousand-419.  The number of new virus cases was about three-hundred-fifty.  There were less than one-hundred COVID patients counted in Rhode Island hospitals.

>>RIPTA CEO, Former Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian Injured In Crash

(Warwick, RI)  --  Former Warwick mayor and current head of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Scott Avedisian [[ AV-uh-DEE-zhin ]] was reportedly injured in a motor vehicle accident over the weekend.  The solo rollover crash happened Sunday night on Warwick Neck Road in Warwick.  Avedisian was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Warwick police.  The crash is under investigation.  The RIPTA CEO has not been cited or charged.

>>Fire Destroys House In Central Falls

(Central Falls, RI)  --  A fire destroyed a multi-family home in Central Falls on Monday afternoon.  WPRI-TV reports two firefighters who responded to the house on Barber Avenue were treated for heat exhaustion.  The Rhode Island Fire Marshal told the news station the cause was electrical.  The fire started on the first floor from lithium batteries inside a device that was plugged in.  The Red Cross is assisting the four adults and two children who were displaced.

>>RI Health And Human Services Secretary Stepping Down 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary Womazetta Jones is resigning.  Jones was appointed by former governor Gina Raimondo in 2019.  The Chicago native says she is leaving for family reasons.  Governor McKee's office says an interim secretary will be named before Jones departs on May 1st.

>>Patriots Release Linebacker Kyle Van Noy

(Foxboro, MA)  --  The New England Patriots are moving on from a two-time Super Bowl champion.  The Pats have released linebacker Kyle Van Noy.  The 30-year-old was set to earn about seven-and-a-half-million dollars against the salary cap this upcoming season.  Van Noy signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last March after a previous three-year stint with the team.

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Jim McCabe/nf         RI)  IL) 
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-08-2022 02:20:06

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Rhode Island gas prices have gone above four dollars per gallon.  Representative David Cicilline visited the Ukrainian border this weekend to see the crisis caused by the Russian military attack.  Masks will not be mandatory in many Rhode Island schools this week.

>>Average Rhode Island Gas Price Soars Above $4 A Gallon

(Undated)  --  The price of gasoline in Rhode Island is reaching a historic level.  RIGasPrices.com reported the average price for a gallon in the Ocean State was four dollars and 18 cents as of overnight Monday.  That's an increase of sixty cents per gallon from one week ago.  There are growing, bipartisan calls in Washington to ban Russian oil imports because of the invasion of Ukraine.  The White House press secretary has not confirmed speculation that President Biden will consider that action.

>>David Cicilline Witnesses Crisis At Ukrainian Border 

(Undated)  --  Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline went to the border between Poland and Ukraine this weekend and said it was the worst humanitarian crisis he had ever seen.  Cicilline said the amount of human suffering being caused Vladimir Putin right now is unspeakable.  A congressional delegation led by the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee met in Poland with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has since confirmed that NATO is getting the green light to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

>>Poultry Owners Warned About Avian Flu Strain 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island commercial poultry producers and household keepers of chicken coops are being advised that a highly-infectious avian flu strain could cause big issues for their livestock.  The Department of Environmental Management says the strain has been detected in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  It could cause widespread mortality among infected birds.  Poultry owners are being urged to take a number of essential measures, including maintaining separation from wild birds, keeping cages and coops clean, and reporting unusual bird deaths to the DEM.

>>New Quarantine Guidelines For Childcare 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is announcing new guidelines for COVID-19 quarantine in childcare settings.  The state is recommending childcare programs use a test-to-stay approach when there is a high level of virus transmission risk, and monitor-to-stay when at low or medium levels.  Based on new guidance from the CDC, Rhode Island is now considered to be in the low-risk category.  McKee says the new protocol will ensure the continued safety of children and reduce the burden of quarantine on families.

>>Masks Off In Most Schools This Week 

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island schoolchildren can ditch the masks this week.  The McKee administration previously announced plans to let the statewide mask mandate in school settings expire last Friday.  WPRI-TV reports many school districts will be mask-optional starting Monday.  The Providence and Central Falls districts are keeping mask requirements in place because of low COVID vaccination rates.

>>"Good Night Lights" For Outgoing Military Medical Team 

(Providence, RI)  --  A military medical team deployed to help Rhode Island Hospital at the peak of the winter COVID spike got a unique sendoff on Friday.  The team of about two-dozen doctors, nurses and staff from Fort Stewart, Georgia was honored with Hasbro Children's Hospital's "Good Night Lights" celebration.  Rhode Island Hospital president Dr. Saul Weingart said the unit, which ended its operation on Sunday, provided much-needed relief and allowed the hospital to open additional critical care beds.

>>P-Bruins Beat Thunderbirds, Penguins 

(Providence, RI)  --  The Providence Bruins picked up two wins this weekend.  The P-Bruins defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds 5-to-1 on the road Saturday to take the lead over their Southern New England rivals for first place in the AHL Atlantic Division.  Providence knocked off the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in overtime at the Dunk on Sunday, 5-to-4.  The Bruins go to Canada to play the Toronto Marlies on Tuesday and the Belleville Senators on Wednesday.  

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Jim McCabe/bs            RI) MA) CT) GA)
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-07-2022 01:19:02

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Part of the Newport Cliff Walk collapses.  The sale of National Grid's Rhode Island operation is on hold.  Gas prices in the Ocean State are approaching four dollars per gallon.

>>Portion Of Newport Cliff Walk Collapses

(Newport, RI)  --  The city of Newport says a stretch of the famous Cliff Walk collapsed into the ocean on Thursday.  Officials say the affected portion of the Cliff Walk near Salve Regina University will be closed for the foreseeable future.  No injuries were reported, but the Rhode Island State Police used a cadaver dog to make sure there was no one underneath the debris.  The Newport Daily News quoted the director of the city's public service department as saying he thinks yesterday's collapse was worse than the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy.

>>Massachusetts Steps Into RI National Grid Sale

(Boston, MA)  --  The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office is getting involved in the sale of National Grid's electric utility operation in Rhode Island.  Mass A.G. Maura Healey has raised concerns about ratepayers facing additional costs in her state.  National Grid is attempting to sell Narragansett Electric Company to Pennsylvania-based energy company PPL.  The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court froze the transaction on Thursday, which also puts a pause on a separate challenge that has brought forth by the Rhode Island attorney general.

>>RI Gas Prices Nearing $4 A Gallon

(Undated)  --  Rhode Island's average gas price is up to three dollars and 74 cents, according to RIGasPrices.com.  One month ago, the average was three-42.  There is talk of the U.S. banning Russian oil imports in response to the war in Ukraine, but the White House is reportedly lukewarm to the idea because it would cause gas prices to escalate even higher.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,415

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported two new coronavirus deaths on Thursday.  The pandemic death toll in the Ocean State increased to three-thousand-415.  The number of new virus cases was one-hundred-89.

>>Providence Students Go To Hospital After Science Experiment

(Providence, RI)  --  Several students at PVD Prep school in Providence were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure on Thursday.  The students were reportedly working on a volcano-building experiment that involved hydrogen peroxide and experienced a burning sensation on their hands.  School officials say additional safety measures will be taken during future science-based activities.

>>Convicted Ex-Fall River Mayor's Prison Sentence Delayed To April

(Fall River, MA)  --  Former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor Jasiel Correia [[ JAY-seel core-RAY-uh ]] is continuing to avoid the start of a federal prison sentence.  Correia was convicted in 2021 on charges related to defrauding investors for a cell phone app and shaking down potential marijuana businesses in the city for bribes.  He was sentenced to six years.  A judge has granted an extension of Correia's prison term start to April 5th, citing a filing deadline for attorneys in federal appeals court.  Correia previously asked to be able to remain a free man so he could help with his wife's restaurant in Fall River and due to coronavirus cases in the prison system.

>>Bruins Visit Thunderbirds, Host Penguins 

(Providence, RI)  --  The Providence Bruins have two games this weekend.  The P-Bruins are coming off a 5-to-3 road win versus Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.  They'll stay on the road to play the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday night.  Providence hosts the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

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Jim McCabe/nf          RI) 
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-04-2022 03:38:08

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news:  Rhode Island health officials are seeking applicants to open facilities where illegal drugs can be safely used.  Former Rhode Island governor and current U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was the "designated survivor" during last night's State of the Union address.  Providence College men's basketball has concluded its regular season.

>>Applications Accepted For Rhode Island Injection Sites; Marijuana Bill Proposed

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Health is now accepting applications from organizations that want to host the state's first so-called "harm reduction centers".  Those are safe spaces for people to inject illegal drugs under medical supervision.  Legislation was approved by Governor McKee in 2021 authorizing a two-year pilot program.  Meanwhile, a new bill which would legalize recreational marijuana sales in Rhode Island was introduced in the state legislature on Tuesday.

>>Gina Raimondo "Designated Survivor" During SOTU

(Washington, DC)  --  Former Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo was the designated survivor of President Biden's cabinet during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.  Raimondo, now serving as the United States Secretary of Commerce, did not attend Biden's address but instead watched it from a secure location in the event of a catastrophe.  Raimondo is returning to Rhode Island later this month.  Brown University announced on Monday that she will be delivering a lecture on the campus March 15th.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,413

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported one new coronavirus death on Tuesday.  The pandemic death toll for the Ocean State increased to three-thousand-413.  There were one-hundred-fifty new virus cases and one-hundred-17 COVID patients in Rhode Island hospitals as of yesterday's update.

>>Members Of Providence Gang Plead Guilty To Racketeering Charges

(Providence, RI)  --  The Justice Department says four members of a gang in Providence have pleaded guilty to federal charges.  Prosecutors say the leaders of the Chad Brown gang admitted to participation in a racketeering enterprise that was responsible for gun violence which targeted rival gang members, plus drug trafficking.  The men are looking at a decade in prison.

>>Homeless At Warwick Hotel Leaving This Spring

(Warwick, RI)  --  It's almost checkout time for those who have been using a Warwick hotel as a homeless shelter since November.  The non-profit organization Crossroads RI says the guests at the NYLO Hotel are leaving next month.  Crossroads is working on finding alternate housing options for those sheltered at the hotel that's located off State Route 5.

>>PC Regular Season Ends With Loss To 'Nova

(Villanova, PA)  --  The Providence College men's basketball team concluded the regular season with a 76-to-74 loss at Villanova on Tuesday night.  The Friars finished the season 24-and-4 overall and they went 14-and-3 in the Big East Conference.  They will have a first-round bye as the top seed in the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.  PC's first game will be next Thursday. 

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Jim McCabe/nf      RI) 
Copyright © 2022
TTWN Media Networks Inc. 

03-02-2022 03:13:10

(Undated)  --  Here is the latest news: Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee tells President Biden his state is ready to accept refugees from Ukraine.  A racial reparations committee is being formed by the city of Providence.  The RI Department of Environmental Management has a new website that will help outdoor recreational enthusiasts. 

>>Governor: Rhode Island Ready To Accept Ukrainian Refugees

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island is ready to host refugees from Ukraine, according to Governor Dan McKee.  The governor sent a letter to President Biden on Monday saying he was shocked and saddened to witness the devastation taking place during Russia's ongoing military incursion.  McKee called it a despicable act of war which has forced hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to flee for their lives.

>>Coronavirus Death Toll In Rhode Island: 3,412

(Providence, RI)  --  Rhode Island reported six new coronavirus deaths over the weekend.  The pandemic death toll for the Ocean State as of Monday's update was three-thousand-412.  There were one-hundred-23 new virus cases.  The Providence Journal reported on Friday that the McKee administration announced plans to close the COVID vaccination site at the Rhode Island Convention Center over the weekend as the state transitions to an endemic strategy. 

>>State Looking To Extend Providence Public Schools Turnaround Plan

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Education is seeking to extend the deadline for its Providence School District turnaround plan.  The state took over the district in 2019 following a scathing public report on its performance.  The turnaround plan was supposed to be five years, but State Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green [[ ahn-HELL-ick-uh in-FAHN-tay ]] told WPRI-TV the coronavirus pandemic caused a delay.  A progress report on the turnaround plan was given to the Rhode Island Senate Oversight Committee on Monday night. 

>>Providence Reparations Committee Announced

(Providence, RI)  --  Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza signed an executive order on Monday to form a commission focused on racial reparations.  Elorza has proposed spending 15-million dollars of the city's share from the American Rescue Plan Act.  Elorza's administration is focusing on urban renewal projects which displaced communities of color in Providence in the 1950s and 60s instead of the U.S. slavery era.  The reparations commission has three months to submit a report. 

>>Windshield Smashed By Flying Ice

(Undated)  --  A Rhode Island driver survived after a sheet of ice smashed her windshield this past weekend.  Laura Stebbins of Exeter says she was driving on the South County Trail on Saturday afternoon when the ice from another vehicle hit hers.  Stebbins told multiple media outlets the impact knocked off her E-ZPass transponder and sent pieces of glass flying.  She said police caught up with the other driver and fined them 85-dollars.

>>Rhode Island DEM Has New Consolidated Services Website

(Providence, RI)  --  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has launched a new website.  The DEM says the new site, called Rhode Island Outdoors, will serve as a one-stop shop for fishers, hunters and boaters who are looking to obtain licenses, permits and tags.  The website address is RIO.RI.gov. 

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Jim McCabe/jb          RI) BN)  
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03-01-2022 02:58:09