11/08/2009

No driver’s license? For many, no problem
Thousands of Rhode Islanders — exact numbers aren’t tracked — are charged yearly with driving with suspended or revoked licenses

Some immigrants in Central Falls are afraid to give info to the government
CENTRAL FALLS –– On any given street corner of this struggling city, you might hear people speaking English, Spanish, Creole, K’iche, or Portuguese, lending truth to a sign at the city’s border, “Welcome to Central Falls — The Whole World in One Square Mile.” Until recently, Central Falls held a “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” claim as the smallest, most densely populated city in the country.

By the numbers: R.I. arrests for driving on suspended license
It’s difficult to track how many people are arrested for driving on suspended or otherwise inactive licenses — and even more difficult to learn how many multiple offenders are out there because the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ computer database is old and not easily searchable for such data. The state’s court records are also not easily searchable for such data.

Fatal crash galvanized Maine to tighten driving law
Trucker blamed in crash had 63 traffic convictions and 20 suspended license convictions

No driver’s license? For many, no problem
Thousands of Rhode Islanders — exact numbers aren’t tracked — are charged yearly with driving with suspended or revoked licenses

Assets seized from Saccoccia, others
Besides the millions of dollars prosecutors have recouped from Saccoccia accounts, safe deposit boxes and businesses, these are some of the other assets that have been obtained:

Drivers take advantage of lax penalties for driving with suspended license
Some repeat offenders drive to court to deal with their latest suspension and then drive away again

15.1
BY THE NUMBERS

Some immigrants in Central Falls are afraid to give info to the government
CENTRAL FALLS –– On any given street corner of this struggling city, you might hear people speaking English, Spanish, Creole, K’iche, or Portuguese, lending truth to a sign at the city’s border, “Welcome to Central Falls — The Whole World in One Square Mile.” Until recently, Central Falls held a Ripley’s Believe It or Not claim as the smallest, most densely populated city in the country.

About the Census
KEY POINTS

Langevin will be on ‘60 Minutes’
Congressman James Langevin will appear on “60 Minutes,” the CBS news magazine, Sunday to talk about cyber security threats, his office said.

East Providence mayor pleads for return to civil debate
City’s strained finances contribute to raucous council meetings, personal attacks

Flu doesn’t slow Express
Polar Express begins holiday runs with plenty of hand sanitizer on board

Environmental Journal: Film, state recycling day on tap
If you are wondering whether it’s a bad idea to keep buying bottled water, you might want to stop by Brown University on Tuesday night for the screening of a new documentary called “Tapped.” It may dampen your enthusiasm for the popular product.

22nd food drive surpasses goal
CRANSTON — Yesterday’s food drive by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and the Boy Scouts matched or exceeded last year’s effort, leaving the organizers “ecstatic,” one of them said.

Three Mass. men stabbed
PROVIDENCE — Three Massachusetts men were stabbed early Saturday during a disturbance on Hospital Street, police reports on the incident said. Two were injured badly enough to be hospitalized.

IN QUOTES THE WEEK THAT WAS

New Woonsocket mayor coming in at a tough time
Leo T. Fontaine must deal with a potential multimillion-dollar deficit

News to Use
A nonpartisan, peace-building organization will join scholars and students from Mainland China, Taiwan and the United States for the fifth annual Strait Talk Symposium hosted at Brown University from Nov. 9 to 12. Events are open to the public.

Interim director resigns at R.I.’s Progreso Latino
CENTRAL FALLS — George L. Ortiz Jr., who was named interim director of the advocacy organization Progreso Latino in late September, has resigned. The Rev. Eliseo Nogueras, Progreso Latino’s board chairman, confirmed that Ortiz resigned on Thursday.

Three vie for Assembly seat in special election Tuesday
House District 10 seat represents three neighborhoods in Providence

Flu Update
Q. My son, age 13, just got the regular flu shot, and his school is giving the H1N1 shot on Nov. 18. Is that too soon? Does he need to wait a certain amount of time between the different types of flu shots?

11/07/2009

Homebuyer tax break boosting sales in R.I.
Uncle Sam will now be paying just about anybody, it seems, to buy a house.

Vehicle fatalities climb in R.I.
So far this year 67 people have died, 2 more than in 2008, authorities say

E. Greenwich lawyer Joseph Ferrucci dies
Attorney Joseph P. Ferrucci, 45, of East Greenwich, died Sunday of a heart attack

Harvest time in Scituate
The annual Harvest Festival was held this week at Clayville Elementary School in Scituate, in the 19-year-old Pilgrim and Native American villages that were rebuilt after being vandalized.

Suspect shot during struggle with undercover officer
LINCOLN — A Massachusetts man with a violent past was shot in the face when he tussled with an undercover state police detective during a sting at Lincoln Woods State Park early Friday afternoon, the state police said.

News Digest
PROVIDENCE

Homebuyer tax break boosting sales in R.I.
Uncle Sam will now be paying just about anybody, it seems, to buy a house.

2 children hurt after running into side of car in Providence
PROVIDENCE — A brother and sister were in fair condition Friday at Hasbro Children’s Hospital after they ran into the side of an oncoming car while crossing Orms Street to get to their school bus stop, according to the police.

Dog rescued in Iraq now in foster care in North Providence
Lucy, the dog from Iraq that was up for adoption because her owner must return to Iraq, has been placed in foster care in North Providence temporarily, Linda Monahan of ADOPT, or Animals Depend on People Too, said Thursday night.

Religious leaders respond as one to Texas shootings
Jews and Christians join with an imam to defend Muslims at an interfaith response to the tragedy that claimed 13 lives

R.I. Convention Center files suit over ordinance
Claims the city is violating the National Labor Relations Act and overreaching its authority

More stimulus money in R.I. for energy programs
Aid earmarked for renewable-energy projects for homes, businesses

R.I. education commissioner plans community forums
Education officials are inviting Rhode Islanders to share their ideas about how to improve schools at a series of community forums in five communities over the next month.

Nice day for a stroll
"He’s tiny, even for a Maltese," says Lindsey Mallon, of Providence, about her dog, Charlie, as they walked along Benefit Street earlier this week. "He was the runt of the litter, but that’s what makes him special."

URI students take Narragansett to court over ‘orange sticker’ policy
URI students, renters, landlords oppose policy designed to clamp down on partying

Vehicle fatalities climb in R.I.
So far this year 67 people have died, 2 more than in 2008, authorities say

Pawtucket police identify man killed by train
PAWTUCKET — The police identified a 53-year-old man who was apparently struck and killed by a train early Friday as Alan Bulris.

Marijuana plants seized in Woonsocket
The police say they confiscated 145 pounds of the illegal drug in two raids and arrested 6 people from Woonsocket and Cranston

Providence shooting victim is city’s 17th homicide of year
PROVIDENCE — City police have announced that a man was found fatally wounded on Aldrich Street early Friday.

Lincoln parent files lawsuit over E. coli contamination
Middle school student among 20 to 30 youngsters, chaperones who became ill after trip to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Mass.

11/06/2009

The hunt for Stephen Saccoccia’s hidden assets
PROVIDENCE –– It’s been more than 16 years since Stephen Saccoccia was sentenced to 660 years in prison for laundering money for Colombian drug lords. A man with lavish tastes, Saccoccia was a Cranston coin shop owner and precious metals dealer known for his free-spending ways. He wore a Rolex watch, rented apartments in London and New York City and offered Dom Perignon with the cold cuts he served to employees who came to his Christmas parties. For many years he had a raft of high-priced lawyers representing him. But now, as he sits in a West Virginia federal penitentiary for what amounts to a life sentence, he says he is destitute. Maybe that’s true. But the U.S. government has continued to hunt for his assets to satisfy a $136.3 million forfeiture order.

Few options in RI law to prosecute repeat suspended license offenders
WARWICK, R.I. _ Robert A. Notarianni arrived at District Court expecting he’d be walking right back out once he cleared up the little matter of his 17th charge of driving on a suspended license.

A look at the number of repeat license suspensions in Scituate, Johnston
It’s difficult to track how many people are arrested for driving on suspended or otherwise inactive licenses –– and even more difficult to learn how many multiple offenders are out there because the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ computer database is old and not easily searchable for such data. The state’s court records are also not easily searchable for such data.

11/09/2009

Dominance has its place, and she keeps it that way
Roller Derby is one passion of Christine Johnson; the other is helping dogs and their owners find peaceful balance

Diversity Calendar: Nov. 9

11/06/2009

Pregnant R.I. women line up for shots
More vaccine is coming, but for those yet to be inoculated there is good reason to worry

Small supply of vaccine for seasonal flu arrives in R.I.
After weeks of shortages, some doses of seasonal-flu vaccine have become available.

Narragansett sachem: ‘Outsiders’ no more after Obama meeting
President Obama’s presence at a gathering of Native American leaders has special meaning for Matthew Thomas

Kennedy predicts ‘Carcieri fix’ bill might pass
WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy said Thursday that a bill to reverse a U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking special land status for the Narragansett Indian tribe could become law during this Congress.

Governor vetoes R.I. saltwater fishing license
Governor calls proposed $7 fishing license “excessively intrusive”

Former Save The Bay director named EPA regional administrator
H. Curtis “Curt” Spalding left Save The Bay in 2008

Thousands of Rhode Islanders may be eligible for extra jobless benefits
The state Department of Labor and Training is poised to contact thousands of Rhode Islanders who may be eligible for extended unemployment benefits under a bill approved by the Congress Thursday that President Obama is planning to sign Friday.

House Democrats caucus on state financial crisis
Most say they were glad to discuss ideas to address the economic crisis in a private setting

Cranston mayor vetoes mortgage measures
Ordinances setting new guidelines on foreclosures had been passed by City Council unanimously

Grant for Warwick clock comes in nick of time
The $350,000 in federal money will be used to repair the historic structure and work on its clock

Lynch opposes National Grid’s proposed rate hike
The attorney general calls the request “drastic,” in light of the state’s strained economy

R.I.’s Betaspring helps start-up companies get off the ground
Providence firm wins praise at forum on the state’s knowledge economy

Pallotta expected to head Burrillville schools
The interim schools chief will forgo retirement to take the job on a full-time basis

R.I. bar association plans legal clinic for seniors
The Rhode Island Bar Association is hosting legal clinics to help guide senior citizens in authorizing someone to make health-care decisions on their behalf should they become unable make choices themselves.

Smithfield High School accreditation nears end
A 15-member committee finishes accreditation assessment

Major expansion, renovation begin at Kent County YMCA
WARWICK — A more than $3-million renovation and expansion of the Kent County YMCA will make the popular recreation site even more attractive to the community, according to leaders of the nonprofit organization.

Twin River seeks to hire former R.I. Lottery lawyer
Robert M. Silva was Lottery’s lawyer for 16 years before retiring in 2008

Brown professor to appear on Rachael Ray show
Professor on TV

News Digest
BOSTON

Police Digest
PROVIDENCE

11/05/2009

Swine flu in R.I.: It’s hand-to-hand combat in the war on germs
Sales of hand sanitizer skyrocket as schoolchildren, office workers and others heed health officials’ advice

Hasbro Children’s Hospital reports seeing record numbers in ER
The emergency room at Hasbro Children’s Hospital has seen record-breaking numbers of children in recent days, nearly double the number seen earlier this year.

Swine-flu death confirmed
The state Health Department has confirmed that the middle-aged woman who died Monday had swine flu, and swine flu was the cause of death.

Flu having little effect on R.I. businesses
Businesses say biggest problem is parents staying home to care for their children

Providence couple embroiled in search for Nazi art
PROVIDENCE

24/7 slots coming to Twin River
Lottery allows all-night gambling at the greyhound track and slot parlor to boost revenue

Tax collections plunge in R.I.
Sales, personal-income and corporate tax revenue down from third quarter of 2008

Economist: R.I. recovery will lag
Significant job growth in Rhode Island isn’t forecast until 2011 or 2012

Homework led to suspects in Woonsocket house break
WOONSOCKET –– They cut class at Woonsocket High School to break into a house — but it’s the homework that tripped them up.

Congress weighs concerns over Indian trust decision
Some lawmakers want to reverse high court ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar

Arts studio for Providence high school students receives national award
Receives $10,000 federal grant, one of only 15 programs to get Coming Up Taller Award

This dog comes with a great ‘tail’
SCITUATE — A Rhode Island woman who rescued an injured puppy she found on a street in Iraq is trying to find a permanent home for the dog in the United States.

Big East seeks new headquarters
Providence has been home to the conference since its founding 30 years ago, but it may move elsewhere

ACLU criticizes sexual health center ruling
Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health was denied a zoning certificate because of its educational use

Tortola prosecutors seek 25 years for Swain
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (AP) — A Rhode Island man convicted of killing his wife during a 1999 scuba trip should serve at least 25 years in prison before getting parole, prosecutors in the British Virgin Islands told a judge on Wednesday.

N. Kingstown voters OK sewer-system installation
Town must first complete engineering, design work before soliciting bids

Wallin to run for R.I. attorney general
Former state prosecutor is first Republican to formally announce that he’ll be seeking the post

Union concessions allow rehiring of E. Providence officers
EAST PROVIDENCE — With the mayor calling it historic, the City Council unanimously agreed to police contract concessions and changes that will give the city enough savings to bring back the 13 officers laid off in October.

Narragansett Indian excused from trial
Tribal councilman Randy Noka had been subpoenaed to testify in a child-custody case

CVS to move subsidiary headquarters to R.I.
MinuteClinic will shutter Minn. operations, laying off 150 employees

Police Digest
PAWTUCKET

News Digest

News to Use

11/04/2009

H1N1 to blame for girl’s death; new case probed
Health officials confirmed Tuesday that the 12-year-old Lincoln girl who died over the weekend did have swine flu, and revealed that a middle-aged woman died Monday of a suspected case.

Series of broadcasts to provide information on swine flu
Health officials confirmed Tuesday that the 12-year-old Lincoln girl who died over the weekend did have swine flu, and revealed that a middle-aged woman died Monday of a suspected case.

Get your swine-flu questions answered on the air
If you’re looking for answers to questions about swine flu, Wednesday is your day.

Flu update: Tamiflu doesn’t work if you wait
A recent check of prescribing data from pharmacies around the state found that 15 percent of Tamiflu prescriptions were filled five days after they were written.

Bishop Tobin challenges Catholic lawmakers over abortion
Bishop Tobin says Catholic lawmakers who oppose the church on abortion should question their membership in the church

New R.I. law banning indoor prostitution leads some spas to close
Prostitutes apparently not showing up for work in fear of police crackdown as backers of measure praise its impact

Without notice expungements almost expanded
Measure sails through House during special session only to fail at last minute due to miscue in Senate

Without notice expungements almost expanded
PROVIDENCE –– Amid the chaos of last week’s special legislative session, advocates of a bill that would automatically erase a whole new class of criminal records scored a short-lived victory at the State House.

Fontaine, Moreau win R.I. mayoral races
The City Council president in Woonsocket and the incumbent in Central Falls win by wide margins

Settlement status sought in Station fire suit
A court conference is set next Tuesday to learn when a settlement report will be ready

Providence woman on Oprah show
Judy D’Arcy was chosen in response to a request for women who wanted to shake up their lives

Kyle McLaughlin, Cumberland, R.I. high school hockey star killed in crash, remembered by family, friends
“You feel like you lost a member of the family and we did,” says his hockey coach

RI chapter of ACLU celebrating 50th anniversary
Entire corps of the organization’s volunteer lawyers will get award as libertarians of the year

City bus hub coping with roadwork
Riders are finding the Kennedy Plaza project manageable

Lane split ending, Exit 20 closing on Route 95 south
PROVIDENCE — The state Department of Transportation said yesterday that it will eliminate a split in the southbound lanes of Route 95 Wednesday night, and, in a larger move, close the existing Exit 20 from Route 95 south to Route 195 east beginning Friday night and replace it with a temporary exit.

W. Greenwich bridge work to close one lane of Route 95
The project involves the widening of two bridges that carry Route 95 over Weaver Hill Road

RI Ethics Commission dismisses GOP charge against Attorney General Lynch
Committee rejects Republican complaint that attorney general violated gift-cap law

Providence neighborhood group objects to mayor’s campaign invitation
Olneyville Neighborhood Association has been critical of Mayor David Cicilline’s policies

Grant to speed production of methane energy plant
$15 million will go toward construction of a larger methane plant at state Central Landfill

DEM OKs cleanup; Cranston to buy property with half-built plant
The work, to remove contaminated soil, is a precursor to the city buying the property

News Digest
WOONSOCKET

Police Digest
PROVIDENCE

11/03/2009

Flu fight gets under way
JOHNSTON –– Wearing their school uniforms, gym sweats or after-school clothes, students at St. Rocco School made history Monday when they lined up for swine flu vaccinations.

H1N1 suspected in child’s death
Skyla J. Reposa-Alves, 12, of Lincoln, is the second child to die within the past week after exhibiting flu-like symptoms

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says he is monitoring R.I. reform efforts
Secretary Arne Duncan urges the state to seek competitive grants for federal funds for new programs

Moderates’ financing in question
Party chairman might have exceeded the limits by donating $10,000 to both the state and Barrington branch of the party

Corrente won’t be the Moderate Party candidate for governor
Former U.S. Attorney says he wants to return to his private law practice

Hospital fined for wrong-site surgery
For operating on the wrong finger of a patient, Rhode Island Hospital will have to pay a $150,000 fine and have surgeries monitored for a year

State explores feasibility of selling or leasing Central Landfill
Carcieri spokeswoman says there could be an opportunity that would be beneficial to taxpayers

Prosecutors dispute early-release plea by John Cicilline, the Providence mayor’s brother
Prosecutors say only the prison bureau has control over Providence mayor’s brother

East Providence High School band group racked by dissension
The support organization has been barred from working with the music program until allegations are reviewed

City seeks reimbursement for stalled retail project
Officials say $93,000 is owed for work on the American Locomotives Works project

Confiscated parakeets have enough food for a year
Thanks to seed donations, the three dozen birds held at the North Smithfield animal shelter will be well fed

Deadline to redeem Pell Bridge tokens set
Tokens, replaced by the E-ZPass system, can be sold back until Dec. 31

Jobless benefits may be extended
Sen. Jack Reed optimistic legislation to add 20 weeks will be sent to the president next week

Warner withdraws bid for Twin River
William H. Warner will focus on a casino he and a partner are proposing for Milford, Mass.

Grant to help Latino youth apply to college
The $75,000 grant will be used to set up workshops on college applications, financial aid

Former URI professor and dean to be Mount Holyoke College president
Lynn Pasquerella also got a doctorate in philosophy at Brown University in Providence

3-year accord approved by district, union
The Chariho Regional School District and its teachers’ union have ratified a three-year contract.

Former chief justice’s driver questioned in court
The former chief justice’s former driver appears in court for a child-support hearing

Man struck by paintballs, injured
A 31-year-old man was struck in the lip, forehead and hip by paintballs Saturday and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, according to the police.

Police Digest
WARWICK

Petition opposes teacher seniority
Karina Wood, right, of the East Side Public Education Coalition, and Karen Feldman, of Young Voices, present the signatures of 1,200 people to Paul Vorro, of the Providence Teachers Union, urging it to drop its lawsuit seeking reinstatement of seniority. Watch a video of the coalition presenting its petition at projo.com/video.

01/20/2008

Gay Evolution
What we know about gay history in America begins here, in Rhode Island, with a gay sex scandal that rocked the U.S. Navy and tarnished the reputation of a president. A half-century later, the gay rights movement rode into Providence on the back of a church. Those early activists drove a sweeping political and cultural agenda so unthinkable, the pioneers never thought they’d live to see it — a time when their lives would be as fabulous and as ordinary as anyone. Read about Providence’s transformation into a gay destination spot, watch slideshows of the everyday lives of gay men and women and listen to their personal stories. Staff writer Mark Arsenault and photographer John Freidah take you on a historical journey.

1919 Newport sting targeted gay sailors, ended in scandal
The nation was shocked to learn that the Navy sent out “agents” to solicit sex in an operation the Senate declared disgraceful.