07/09/2009

Downtown Providence’s Steeple Street Building is being restored
PROVIDENCE — Capital Properties Inc. has begun a historical restoration project at one of the city’s oldest industrial structures, the Steeple Street Building, once the site of an iron and hardware business that existed 183 years ago.

Providence River encampment’s growth draws the attention of nearby residents
PROVIDENCE — Daisy Schnepel has known for some months about the homeless people living in tents along the river’s edge, just two blocks from her Fox Point home of 25 years.

Team of humanitarians go to bat for Cuban people
A “peace caravan” bus loaded with building, medical and educational supplies stops in Providence on its way to the island nation.

Providence’s branch libraries get new director
Ann Robinson was named after a national search and bested finalists from Florida and California.

07/08/2009

Family grieves shooting death of ‘a nice young man’
Randy German, of Providence, was studying business administration at CCRI.

Providence County woman is state’s second comfirmed swine flu death
She is the second victim of the virus, which is now “widespread” in the state.

07/07/2009

Providence woman slain, boyfriend arrested in N.Y.
The body of Ingrid Gonzalez was discovered in her Providence bungalow after Johnny Tineo was arrested on a warrant charging him with beating her last December.

Imprisoned for murder, ex-Providence police officer will still collect disability pension
The family of former Providence police officer Nicholas Gianquitti, convicted of killing his neighbor, , receives $3,481.50 a month due to his disability.

Gang leader faces drug, weapons charges
Providence police say they found a shotgun and drugs in the house of Nirut “Shorty” Seng, a leader in the Young Bloods street gang.

Providence council seeks to expand purchasing board
The Providence City Council is considering a referendum to change the City Charter to allow the expansion of the Board of Contract and Supply.

07/06/2009

Brown researcher advancing face-recognition technology
It won’t be long, Michael J. Tarr predicts, before machines will recognize your face when you shop, check in at the airport, or simply walk the city streets. Your dishwasher or microwave may be programmed to say hello after confirming it’s you.

Providence to require licensing of bouncers
The city is moving to tighten its oversight of bouncers in an effort to rein in those who are bullies and to upgrade the occupation to polish the city’s reputation with residents and visitors.

Federal Hill to test overnight parking by permit
About 1,900 households in the West Broadway and Armory sections will be allowed to purchase a $25-a-year permit per vehicle to park on the street between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

07/05/2009

Internal affairs: How grudges, old loyalties, personality conflicts led to union vote against Esserman
It was a typical union meeting, second Tuesday of the month, shots and beers in the old hall in a rundown Providence neighborhood.

Classical students petition against fixed-schedule plan
Classical students sign a petition protesting the move to a standard class schedule in Providence high schools.

New education commissioner ‘ready’ to tackle Rhode Island’s problems
New state schools chief Deborah Gist has quickly made her presence felt and plans a hectic schedule to meet groups and tour the state’s public schools.

Internal affairs: How grudges, old loyalties, personality conflicts led to union vote against Esserman
It was a typical union meeting, second Tuesday of the month, shots and beers in the old hall in a rundown Providence neighborhood.

07/04/2009

Sculpture of Providence native George M. Cohan is unveiled in Fox Point
PROVIDENCE — Before there was an Elvis or a Michael Jackson, there was a man regarded by many Americans as one of the greatest entertainers and who captivated a nation with his patriotic songs.

07/05/2009

New education commissioner ‘ready’ to tackle Rhode Island’s problems
New state schools chief Deborah Gist has quickly made her presence felt and plans a hectic schedule to meet groups and tour the state’s public schools.

07/12/2009

Providence’s downtown improvement goes well beyond flowers
PROVIDENCE –– Beauty is contagious, says Frank LaTorre, director of public space for the Downtown Improvement District

07/03/2009

Providence to study getting revenue from tax-exempt institutions
In an attempt to raise revenue, Providence will consider asking hospitals and universities to make payments in lieu of taxes.

High court decision halts plans to raze long-closed school
The ruling, voiding a lower court decision, says the city must decide the fate of the former Grove Street School on Federal Hill.

Family: Man who fled hospital might be in Providence
Gregory Hillman, 21, disappeared Monday after fleeing from a mental hospital in western Massachusetts.

Photos: 3 injured as fire damages house in Providence
Three people were injured Thursday afternoon in a fire at 123 Laurel Hill Ave., in Providence. The building was heavily damaged, and all six of its residents required Red Cross assistance. Two firefighters suffered back injuries and a first-floor occupant was treated for smoke inhalation, Battalion Chief Joe Desmarais said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

07/02/2009

TV show helps snare alleged Providence strip-club shooter
Law enforcement officials have no trouble tracking down Jonathan Quaweay after his image appears on America’s Most Wanted.

R.I. homeowners now have say on meter placement
A new law gives homeowners a say in where the utility meter would be located.

W. Warwick DPW chief to take Providence job
PROVIDENCE — Mayor David N. Cicilline announced Tuesday that he has appointed Paul J. Thomas, West Warwick’s Public Works director, to lead the city’s Department of Public Works.

Cranston man faces murder charge in ’08 stabbing death
The death is one of several associated with nightclubbing citywide, say the police.

07/01/2009

City’s branch libraries go their own way
A newly formed nonprofit group takes control of Providence’s nine branch libraries, while the downtown library will rely on state support.

Providence lawyer agrees to disbarment
Robert D. Natal is accused of mishandling clients’ money in property closings.

Man says he was abducted from Warwick motel, beaten
WARWICK –– A Providence man said a group of men abducted him from his motel room late Monday night, binding him with duct tape and beating him as they took him back into Providence.

Providence teachers gain contract
The school board approves the three-year contract that calls for teachers to pay a greater share of their health-care coverage.

City’s branch libraries go their own way
A newly formed nonprofit group takes control of Providence’s nine branch libraries, while the downtown library will rely on state support.

06/30/2009

Adoptees’ victory may be short-lived
The House passed a bill allowing adoptees to see their birth certificates, but it is unlikely the Senate will follow suit.

Air is now cleared over lead-paint settlement funds
Millions of dollars will go toward lead-paint remediation in houses where children are at risk of lead poisoning.

City dispute hasn’t muted watchdog
The agency that investigates complaints of police misconduct is in a fight with the mayor’s office over control of its finances.

06/28/2009

His last act echoed the life he lived
His family says Charles Joiner Jr., who was escorting two friends home late at night when he was gunned down in an apparent robbery attempt, was always the type of person to help others.

06/27/2009

R.I.’s Presidential Scholars recognized in Washington
The students journey to Washington, D.C., where they were honored by Vice President Joe Biden.

St. Michael the Archangel parish celebrating 150 years
From Irish immigrants who fled famine in the 19th century to Haitian immigrants of today, St. Michael’s has provided a home to Roman Catholics.

Providence to refashion itself into arts and cultural center
The mayor offers a broad proposal to help refashion the city as an arts and cultural capital.

Mayor’s father has a gripe with City Hall
John F. Cicilline objects to the behavioral therapist practice next door to his home on Broadway.

06/29/2009

Diversity Calendar
Cape Verdean Community

06/26/2009

R.I. Senate okays dozens of bills in late-night session
PROVIDENCE — After going more than six months without action on scores of bills, the state Senate moved into high speed Wednesday night with a flurry of law-making.

R.I. House to vote on deadly force bill
The House Judiciary Committee approves a bill that would bar the release of police officers’ names until the case is reviewed by a grand jury.

Providence teachers sign three-year contract
The three-year pact ratified by the Providence Teachers Union is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2007.

R.I. House to vote on deadly force bill
The House Judiciary Committee approves the bill that would bar the release of police officers’ names until the case is reviewed by a grand jury.

Providence teachers sign three-year contract
The three-year pact ratified by the Providence Teachers Union is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2007.

06/25/2009

In the dark of the night
PROVIDENCE

Providence teachers to vote on 3-year pact with 1 percent raises
The proposed contract, not yet approved by the School Board, would raise some teachers’ health-care contributions.

Assembly Digest
Sex-trafficking bill on hold for changes

06/24/2009

Assembly panels hear pros, cons of taxing hospitals and colleges
College and hospital officials say two proposed bills would be an unfair burden, but proponents say they would provide crucial revenue.

3 library finalists will visit next week
Candidates, from 3 states, are seeking the job as executive director of the nonprofit Providence Community Library.

06/23/2009

Providence & Worcester: The little engines that can
The regional carrier moves goods from the Providence waterfront to points north and south.

News to use
Baby sitter training: Aspiring baby sitters can learn some of the skills they need for the job at Women & Infants’ Babysitting Camp. The five-day class offers CPR training, information on child growth and development, first aid and discipline techniques.

Providence to host Fourth fireworks
The display will be set off from India Point Park on the Fourth of July.

School, corporate sponsor celebrate
Carl G. Lauro School sixth graders graduate in a ceremony held at the Renaissance Hotel, which has adopted the school.

Providence debates law on protest procedures
A proposed ordinance comes in the wake of the city’s strictures on assembly during the U.S. Mayors’ Conference.

Future of Atwells Avenue food store clouded
PROVIDENCE — It’s been reincarnated and redecorated numerous times, but Roma foods has been part of the Atwells Avenue business district and a presence on the Federal Hill food scene for decades.

06/21/2009

Lippitt Park: A leafy, quiet, more affordable entry point to the East Side
The neighborhood at the edge of Blackstone Boulevard is primarily residential with a commercial district on Hope Street.

Proposed cut in state aid has Providence rejiggering
The city’s budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 anticipated $6 million in state aid.

Gay Pride
Lauren Ellen McCann, of the Free Hugs Campaign, passes along her message at the Rhode Island PrideFest at Station Park in Providence Saturday afternoon. The event included musical performances followed by the annual Illuminated Night Parade.

06/20/2009

Suspected scam artist arrested in Providence
Jason S. Angell is wanted by a number of Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities.

Gay Pride festivities planned for Saturday in Providence
PROVIDENCE — The city’s 34th-annual Gay Pride parade will begin at dusk Saturday after an afternoon of festivities in Station Park, across from the Providence Place mall.

No frenzy, but Rhode Island shoppers line up for latest iPhone
About 40 potential buyers lined up outside the Apple Store at Providence Place mall Friday afternoon.

06/22/2009

DIVERSITY CALENDAR: June 22
The Urban League of Rhode Island will hold its 70th annual meeting and dinner Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza at the Crossings, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick. The meeting is at 5 p.m.; the reception at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30.

06/19/2009

Providence council OKs plan to balance budget
It entails pension rules changes that union leaders say could invite court action.

Cameras trained on graffiti-prone areas in Providence
The solar-powered cameras will be installed on 18-foot poles at six of Providence’s parks.

East Providence man dies in cycle, car crash
Jonathan M. Conway, 31, is killed when his motorcycle collides with a vehicle on Providence’s East Side on Wednesday.