PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Board of Education personnel subcommittee met with state education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist for almost two hours Tuesday but it did not take a vote on her impending contract.

The subcommittee will continue the discussion of Gist's contact with the full board when it meets on May 23.

After the closed door meeting, board Chairwoman Eva Mancuso said she continues to support extending Gist's contract, adding, "I haven't heard anything that would change my mind."

She said she was speaking personally, not on behalf of the board.

Tthe state's primary program to combat childhood lead poisoning could soon run out of money.

So on Wednesday, advocates and affected families will descend on the State House to testify in support of a bill (House 5810) that would guarantee money for the Hea't Department's lead poisoning prevention program .

In years when federal funding is lacking, the bill would require the state to appropriate no less than $600,000 for the program.

"If the program falls apart, we cannot respond to lead poisoning," said Roberta Hazen Aaronson, executive director of the Childhood Lead Action Project.

Representatives of 40 organizations are expected to attend the bill's hearing before the House Finance Committee, at 1 p.m. in Room 36 of the State House.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Apparently frustrated by a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down an $18 million penalty for a Texas natural gas firm, a federal judge is taking the unusual step of asking the environmental community for suggestions on how to sentence the company in a way that will have "the broadest possible impact."

U.S. District Judge William Smith in Providence said in a preliminary sentencing memorandum filed April 25 that the high court's decision means he is limited to fining Southern Union Co. $500,000 or the equivalent in community service, rather than the $6 million fine and $12 million in charitable contributions that he had previously imposed as punishment.

"This result is manifestly unsatisfactory and even unjust," Smith wrote in his decision.

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Less than a week after Rhode Island became the 10th state to allow same-sex marriages, Delaware will become the 11th.

A divided state Senate gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a bill authorizing same-sex marriage after hearing about three hours of debate. The vote sends the bill to Democratic Gov. Jack Markell, who has promised to sign it.

The bill doesn't give same-sex couples any more rights or benefits under Delaware law than they currently have with civil unions. But supporters say same-sex couples deserve the dignity and respect of married couples. They also hope the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a federal law barring married gay couples from receiving federal benefits.

Opponents, including many Delaware religious leaders, argue same-sex marriage redefines and destroys a centuries-old institution that is a building block of society.

Providence Journal file photo

Jessica Ahlquist also received the Judge Alexander George Teitz Award from the Touro Synagogue Foundation in August 2012.

Since her successful challenge last year of a prayer banner at Cranston High School West, Jessica Ahlquist has been traveling the country speaking about First Amendment rights.

But not until now has she been invited to speak at the Playboy Mansion.

Ahlquist, 17, is scheduled to speak at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, CA on May 22nd where she will receive a Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award. The award in the Education category -- $5,000 cash and a commemorative plaque -- is for Ahlquist's "courageous and successful lawsuit'' in the Cranston prayer banner case, a publicist for the foundation said in a statement.

Ahlquist has accepted the invitation to particpate in the ceremony, her father, Mark J. Ahlquist confirmed Tuesday.

COVENTRY, R.I. -- Richard Land, the Providence attorney running the financially troubled Central Coventry Fire District, has filed a petition with Kent County Superior Court to hold new elections for a board of directors. The old board resigned at the request of Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern when the district went into receivership.

Land said he would continue to run the fire district under the court's orders. But the board would serve in an advisory capacity and be in place should the fire district emerge from receivership.

In filing the petition, Land said he assumed that Governor Chafee would sign a bill that allows the district to collect taxes until September. Christine Hunsinger, spokeswoman for Chafee, said Tuesday the governor has not made up his mind.

WARWICK, R.I. -- Parents, students and teachers redoubled their efforts to protest the proposed closing of Gorton Junior High School Tuesday night with more than 400 people showing up for a School Committee hearing on the issue.

Many waved signs that declared "Save Our Schools", and they were openly skeptical of some of school officials' comments as administrators tried to show that closing Gorton would not dramatically impact either class sizes or bus travel time to the city's remaining two junior high schools.

The School Committee was initially slated to vote on Gorton's fate Thursday night, but this week posted a notice saying that it will not take action until its meeting Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at Toll Gate High School.

Steadily declining student enrollments and the use of buildings are behind the proposed closing.

Providence Journal photo / Donita Naylor

Shortly before 7 p.m. a wrecking truck removes a dump container from the scene of the investigation at an apartment complex.

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. -- The police stretched crime tape Tuesday afternoon to close part of Caswell Street near a subsidized housing apartment complex,, and people in masks and disposable jumpsuits have been working under a blue canopy.

Chief Dean Hoxsie issued the following statement:

"The Narragansett Police Department in conjunction with the Rhode Island State Police is in the preliminary phases on an investigation on Caswell Street in Narragansett. No further information is available at this time and updates will be sent when available. This is an active scene and all available resources are being utilized."

Shortly before 7 p.m. a dump container was taken away from the scene by truck.

This entry was first posted at 4:25 p.m. and updated at 5:51 and 7:30 p.m.

Providence Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach

Police activity at the corners of Rodman and Caswell streets. Caswell Street was blocked off and a blue tent was set up in front of an apartment building where police and medical personnel were working.

At 5:54 p.m., two Rhode Island State Police K-9 units arrive at the scene.

Updated May 7, 2013 6:05 PM

State police were using the dogs to search a vacant lot next to one of the buildings on Rodman Street. According to witnesses, the incident began around 11:30 a.m. "It was 12:30," Tuesday afternoon "when an ambulance escorted by two [police] cruisers," left the scene, said Derith Lutz, a Narragansett resident.

Updated May 7, 2013 6:20 PM

Providence Journal photo / Mary Murphy

A forum of more than 250 people Tuesday evening at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet could see beyond the remains of Rocky Point's Midway sign and Shore Dinner Hall.

That was the general view of the more 250 people who convened at the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet Tuesday night to share their ideas on things they would like to see in a future park including the 83 acres acquired by the state under a voter-approved bond issue, along with 41 acres of shoreline acquired by the City of Warwick six years ago.

Ideas ranged from the humble to the sublime, from a proposal to erect a boardwalk and nature trail that would allow visitors to take walks over some of the area's existing marshland to proposals for a full-scale entertainment area that would include Coney Island-style rides, an indoor and outdoor water park, a campground, an aquarium and an "elegant" 300-room hotel.

Governor Chafee, who was among those kicking off the forum at the invitation of Rocky Point Foundation president John Howell, said he personally would like to see that the dock at Rocky Point be rebuilt so as to allow "safe ferry service" between the Warwick park and the 464-acre Colt State Park in Bristol.

As participants gathered around tables with six to eight people each to brainstorm ideas, Michael Donhan, of the Providence architectural firm Veri/Waterman Associates, urged them to "think big," advising participants share even their craziest ideas, in what was billed as the first of at least three public forums on the future of the land. He said that as things stand now the Palladium, which had been the home to numerous weddings and other events and the giant Shore Dinner Hall are in such rough shape that it is certain they will be torn down this summer. But he said it wouldn't preclude rebuilding those and other attractions if seen desirable or feasible.

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Chafee's administration fought back Tuesday against a key piece of House Democrats' economic development package: a plan to shift certain duties away from the state's environmental, labor, business and economic development agencies to a new, business-oriented "Executive Office of Commerce."

At a sometimes testy hearing before the House Finance Committee, members of Chafee's Cabinet argued that the changes would not make government easier for businesses to navigate.

Instead, they said, it would only add another layer of bureaucracy, cause a government standstill and take time away from their agencies' core activities.

"What Rhode Island needs is policy, not more process. This proposal is long on form and short on substance," said Richard Licht, Chafee's director of administration. "Your goal is laudatory, but I don't think this bill does it."

But House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo, D-East Providence, who is the primary sponsor of the proposal, pushed back. He challenged Chafee's Cabinet members to come up with a better plan.

"I think we can all agree on one thing: the current system does not work," Melo said. "We have 9 percent unemployment. We can't get a business in here to save our lives. It doesn't work. If that's not the best way to do it, what is?"

In his testimony, Charles Fogarty, director of the state Department of Labor and Training, did not suggest alternatives.

But he warned that there would be consequences for unemployed Rhode Islanders who receive federal benefits administered by his agency.

Janet Coit, director of the state Department of Environmental Management, said Melo's proposal could also put at risk the Ocean State's renowned natural resources and the tourism economy it drives.

Journal file photo/ Ruben W. Perez

The George C. Arnold Building off Washington St. in 2011.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence Redevelopment Agency on Thursday will discuss the possibility of buying the three-story building at 94 Washington St.

The brick structure, known as the George C. Arnold Building, has been vacant for several years. Its boarded-up facade is nettlesome to Mayor Angel Taveras, who has mentioned the building as ripe for re-use. In a sweeping plan announced March 28, Taveras said the agency will pursue options from financial assistance to eminent domain to propel redevelopment of that building and others in the city.

The agency next meets at 4 p.m. in 444 Westminster St.

PROVIDENCE, R.I - Governor Chafee has penned a strongly worded letter to House lawmakers in opposition to Speaker Gordon D. Fox's plan to overhaul the state Economic Development Corporation.

Chafee says the proposal would dismantle state agencies regulating the environment, businesses and labor and jeopardize the key work they are undertaking.

The letter was submitted Tuesday during a House Finance Committee hearing on the bill in which a number of Chafee's department directors testified in opposition.

Read Chafee's letter.

A panel of three judges, after sniffing and sipping close to a dozen samples of water from around Rhode Island, voted the Canonchet Cliffs Water Assocation in Hope Valley as the best in the state.

The Atlantic States Rural Water & Wastewater Association held its annual taste test contest on Wednesday at its annual conference at Wright's Farm Restaurant in Harrisville.

Canonchet, a small water supply serving the residents of a home for the elderly and disabled, was named the winner in the non-disinfected category. The winner in the disinfected category was the Ladd Center in Exeter.

After selecting these two finalists, the judges gave Canonchet top honors and a chance to compete in the Great American Taste Test in Washington, D.C. next year.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Lifespan is using the R.I. Health Education Building Corp. to raise approximately $50 million the Providence-based hospital group will use to buy the computer equipment it needs to create its new medical information system.

The corporation helps educational and healthcare institutions raise financing for new facilities, new equipment and major renovations. The corporation's board will meet Thursday to consider final approval of a bond issue to raise the money for Lifespan. At the same time, the board will consider a $300,000 loan application from United Methodist Health Care for a smaller-scale computer information system purchase.

Lifespan encompasses Rhode Island, Miriam, Newport and Bradley hospitals.

PROVIDENCE, R.I -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it has concerns about House Speaker Gordon D. Fox's plan to overhaul the state Economic Development Corporation.

"Although the bill's language is not always clear, the bill raises several potential questions as to whether the State would continue to meet the requirements for approved and delegated permit programs, such as those for controlling air and water pollution and hazardous waste disposal," Carl F. Dierker, regional counsel for the EPA wrote to state Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit this week.

He said the proposal, which Governor Chafee also strongly opposes, may require a revised agreement with the federal authority to assure that it is complying with federal environmental laws.

"Based on our initial review of the bill, we have a number of concerns about our ability to approve the transfer contemplated by the bill," Dierker wrote.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's years-long push for the creation of a National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes took a major step forward on Wednesday.

The Senate voted 68 to 31 to approve an amendment to a bill that would authorize the establishment of the endowment. The Senate must still vote on the full bill, the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act.

"This Endowment, when funded, will help preserve and restore the great bounty our oceans and coasts provide -- from fishing and tourism, to research and recreation. I'm grateful to my colleagues for their support in this time of need in coastal states like Rhode Island," Whitehouse, D-R.I., said in a statement.

When funded, the endowment would provide grants for research, restoration, and conservation efforts.

Providence Journal / Bob Thayer

Governor Chafee hugs Viola Davis after giving her a Making A Difference Award Wednesday at the 28th Annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon held this year at Twin River in Lincoln.

LINCOLN, R.I. -- "I live in Los Angeles, I live in La-La land," said Oscar-nominated actress Viola Davis. "But I always feel like when I come back to Rhode Island, I feel like I'm home."

Davis, who grew up in Central Falls, was at Twin River casino Wednesday to receive an award at the annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity lunch.

"Every time I go back to Central Falls, I see myself in so many kids who want to go out into the world," she said.

Davis, who attended Rhode Island College, was sitting at the Rhode Island College booth inside the Twin River event center. "Rhode Island College is where I found myself," Davis said, saying teachers there were instrumental in helping her find her passion as an actress."

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee is scheduled to attend a ceremony Thursday to honor the winners of Rhode Island Housing's Partners in Housing Awards.

The awards recognize members of the housing community who demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in creating strong communities with good homes for Rhode Islanders.

The Partners in Housing Award winners are: Jim Reed, executive director of the Newport Housing Authority; Rejuvenation LLC and The Armory Revival Company; Olneyville Housing Corporation; Linda Weisinger, deputy director of SWAP, Inc.; and
June Sager Speakman, president of the Barrington Town Council and a member of the Barrington Affordable Housing Task Force,

The 3 p.m. ceremony will be held in the State Room on the second floor of the State House.

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Quinn Rogan, a member of the Rhode Island National Guard who was wounded in Afghanistan, on Wednesday received the Wyatt Medal of Valor at the Wyatt Detention Facility Training Center, where he works as a correctional officer.

Warden Brian K. Murphy presented the medal at a ceremony, the center said in a news release.

Rogan's unit was attacked by enemy fire on Dec. 2, 2012, the center said. Rogan manned a tower machine gun and lethally engaged enemy combatants at close range. Eventually, the base was secured, but during the fire fight, Rogan was severely wounded.

Rogan is undergoing rehabilitation in Boston. He received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Six men, five from Rhode Island, were arrested Tuesday on federal charges of running a smuggling ring that snuck more than 6 million cigarettes from Virginia for sale in Rhode Island, dodging more than $1 million in state cigarette taxes in the process.

A seventh person, the wife of one of the six, was charged with making false statements to fraudulently obtain food stamps.

The seven were rounded up early Tuesday as teams of state and federal law enforcement agents searched 10 locations, seizing a "significant quantity" of cigarettes, about $100,000 in cash, business records and four vehicles believed to have been used in what U.S. Attorney Atty. Peter F. Neronha described as "a wide-ranging complex interstate criminal enterprise."

A federal grand jury indictment charges the ring set up Virginia corporations to get legal authorization to buy and sell cigarettes there.

But instead, the indictment charges, the conspirators smuggled them to Rhode Island for sale. Cigarette taxes are 30 cents a pack in Virginia, compared with $3.50 in Rhode Island. The ring would sell the cigarettes in convenience stores they owned, the indictment said, and pocket the $3.50-a-pack tax cost.

CORRECTION: The initial version of this post incorrectly stated the number of people accused of running the smuggling ring.

(This entry was first posted at 12:20 p.m. and updated at 12:04 a.m. Thursday)

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