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Ceremony slated for change in command at Navy's Center for Service Support in Newport

May 8, 2013, 2:39 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Newport Naval Station's Center for Service Support, which trains 10,000 officers and enlisted personnel each year, is about to have a change in command.

Capt. Mark S. Murphy, who has been the comptroller for the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Support in Mechanicsburg, Pa., will relieve Capt. Dana L. Weiner as the commanding officer in a ceremony at the Naval Station's Officers Club at 1 p.m. Friday. Weiner, who has been in command since July 2011, will retire after 30 years of active service.

Rear Admiral Cynthia Thebaud, the chief operating officer for the Naval Education and Training Command, is to be one of the featured speakers.

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Updated May 8, 2013 5:05 PM

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R.I. House Speaker: Economic development status quo 'not good enough'

May 8, 2013, 2:50 pm
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By Philip Marcelo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- House Speaker Gordon D. Fox says he's disappointed but not discouraged by Governor Chafee's strong rebuke of a key piece of House Democrats' economic development package: an overhaul of the state Economic Development Corporation.

He said the proposal, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also voiced concerns about, was meant to be a "discussion starter."

But Fox said he strongly disagrees with Chafee's stance that Rhode Island should stay the course and not make dramatic changes to state government.

"That's not good enough," he said, speaking before Wednesday's House session. "They should ask the average Rhode Islander if everything is fine in terms of economic development."

Fox continued: "They say, 'Don't do anything because everything is working out.' Well everything is not fine. The public knows that."

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Video: A neighbor speaks about alleged Narragansett murder victim Allison Taylor

May 8, 2013, 3:49 pm
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By News staff

Providence Journal video by Andrew Dickerman

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Criminal defense attorney joins legal team of bombing suspect's widow Russell

May 8, 2013, 4:34 pm
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By Karen Lee Ziner

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Lawyers for Katherine Russell, widow of one of the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects, have added New York criminal defense attorney Joshua L. Dratel to her legal team.

Amato A. DeLuca of DeLuca & Weizenbaum in Providence said Wednesday that Dratel's "unique, specialized experience will help insure that Katie can assist in the ongoing investigation in the most constructive way possible."

Dratel has handled cases that involved national security and terrorism, according to the web site of his firm, Dratel & Mysliwiec.

Russell, who grew up in North Kingstown, has been staying at her parents' home there since her husband, Tamerlan Tsnarnaev, died after a firefight with police on April 19.

She has not been charged in connection with the bombings and is not considered a suspect.

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Accident on Route 95 south in Pawtucket causes major traffic delay

May 8, 2013, 7:14 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- A woman was seriously injured when her car struck another vehicle on southbound Route 95 around 7 p.m. Wednesday, causing her to leave the highway, smash through a fence and come to rest on train tracks nearby.

State police Lt. Joseph Philbin said the woman was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with what appeared to be serious injuries.

The accident forced police to reduce traffic on Route 95 to one lane near exit 25, causing major traffic delays for southbound motorists.

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RISD-MIT students to demonstrate products they've developed in a collaborative class

May 9, 2013, 11:56 am
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By Kate Bramson

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Fifteen student teams are preparing to demonstrate products on Saturday that they've developed in a joint Rhode Island School of Design and Massachusetts Institute of Technology class.

They've created an avalanche-detection system, a helmet-cooling system, an improved dust mask and windshield wipers.

RISD student Phillipe Lee says bringing together engineers, designers and business majors from the two most influential design schools was the perfect fit.

"By incorporating all those three different majors into one classroom, I think it was an amazing experience," said Lee, who hopes to focus on designing medical equipment when he graduates.

The final presentations by the Product Design and Development class will be held Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at RISD's Metcalf Auditorium in the Chace Center, 20 N. Main St., Providence.

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RI House panel to consider proposed manufacturing jobs incentive program

May 9, 2013, 12:05 pm
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By Philip Marcelo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The House Finance Committee will consider Chairman Helio Melo's bill creating a new incentive program for local manufacturers at a Thursday hearing.

The proposed "Manufacturing Industry Revitalization Act" is a key piece of House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and Democrats' economic development package.

Under the proposal, companies would have to invest at least $10 million in real estate, building, equipment or other capital purchases and create at least 100 new full-time jobs in order to qualify.

They would receive an annual reimbursement of $500 per each new worker, so long as the positions earn at least 200 percent of the state minimum wage and work a minimum of 30 hours a week.

Electric Boat, a submarine maker with a manufacturing facility at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, has said it is supportive of the measure, even though it is not expected to testify Thursday.

"We support this bill based on the effect it would have on our efforts to control costs for our customer, the United States Navy, as well as the effect it would have on economic development and job creation in Rhode Island," Robert A. Hamilton, Electric Boat's communications director, said in a statement.

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Central Falls mayor hires 2 young lawyers to prosecute cases

May 9, 2013, 12:25 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Mayor James A. Diossa has hired two young lawyers with strong political ties to prosecute code enforcement violations and misdemeanor cases in District Court, Providence.

Nicholas J. Hemond and Lisette M. Gomes, both 26, began doing contract work with no benefits for the city last month. Diossa said the combined maximum they can make this year is $30,000; $10,000 less than former state Rep. Jon Brien, D-Woonsocket, who did the same work since August 2011.

Brien also did not receive health benefits.

Richard E. Kirby, who was appointed city solicitor during the receivership, will remain as the head of the city Law Department.

Hemond, a State House lobbyist, served as spokesman for Frank T. Caprio during his unsuccessful 2010 campaign for governor. Last fall, he played a key role in House Speaker Gordon D. Fox's reelection.

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Video: Johnston woman helps educate children about abductors, predators

May 9, 2013, 12:48 pm
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By News staff


Providence Journal video by Kathy Borchers


Christina Rondeau has launched a campaign, "Fight Back Kids," to educate children about what to do to fight off predators. She has created tip cards and distributed them to all the Johnston elementary schools. The cards are meant to encourage discussion between parents and children. Mayor Joseph Polisena joined her at her first stop, Brown Elementary School, on Thursday.

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North Providence man plans to plead guilty in Navy kickbacks case

May 9, 2013, 1:13 pm
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By News staff
Ralph Mariano Jr.jpg

Providence Journal photo / Kathy Borchers

Ralph Mariano Jr.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - One of several people charged as part of a federal investigation into an alleged $10 million kickback scheme targeting the U.S. Navy has agreed to plead guilty to tax evasion.

A lawyer for Ralph Mariano Jr. of North Providence on Thursday said his client plans to change his plea.

Mariano's son, Ralph M. Mariano, a former Navy employee, is accused by prosecutors of being the ringleader of the scheme, which allegedly used Navy contractors to funnel government money back to the younger Mariano and others.

Mariano Jr. is accused of failing to pay taxes on the money he received. He is in his 80s.

The younger Mariano and his girlfriend, Mary O'Rourke, are scheduled to go to trial next month.

Three others have already pleaded guilty in the case.

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Providence Police Department extends deadline for its recruiting effort

May 9, 2013, 1:14 pm
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By Amanda Milkovits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence Police Department is extending its recruitment drive to May 31.

More than 1,500 people have already applied for the 67th academy, the first school since 2008. The department is looking to hire about 40 officers, although the exact number has not been finalized.

The early applicants will take part in agility tests next week. Those who qualify will also have to pass a written exam, followed by background checks, interviews, and psychological and medical exams before being selected for the 24-week academy.

Graduates will be paired with field-training officers for three months before patrolling on their own, possibly by next spring. The minimum salary is $47,272 a year, not including benefits.

Applications can be filled out online only at http://providenceri.com/police/recruitment

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Pawtucket police investigating bank robbery / Photos

May 9, 2013, 1:35 pm
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By Amanda Milkovits
p-robbery-589.jpg

Pawtucket Police Department

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- The police are searching for two gunmen who held up a Pawtucket Credit Union early Thursday afternoon.

Two men carrying guns and empty bags walked into the credit union at 571 Smithfield Ave. around 12:30 p.m. and robbed the tellers, said Pawtucket Police Maj. Arthur Martins.

They filled the bags with money and fled out the rear door, he said.

Police released surveillance photos in hopes of identifying the suspects, who concealed their faces with sunglasses and bandannas, wore hats and hooded jackets, and winter gloves.

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery to contact Detective Richard Laforest, (401) 727-9100 ext. 761.

An earlier version of this story was posted at 2:01 p.m. and updated at 4:30

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Donated food left at mailboxes on Saturday will be delivered to RI Food Bank

May 9, 2013, 1:44 pm
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By Donita Naylor

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Everyone can help "Stamp Out Hunger" on Saturday by leaving healthy, nonperishable food in a bag near mailboxes for someone from the National Association of Letter Carriers to collect.

Items needed most are canned soup, canned vegetables, tuna, peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned beans, and healthy cereals. Donors are asked to put items out early, because the food pickup might not coincide with normal mail delivery.

Donations collected in Rhode Island will go to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its member agencies. Last year, Rhode Islanders donated 117,000 pounds, a nearly 10 percent increase over the previous year. Nationally, letter carriers collected 70.7 million pounds in 2012.

The food bank can be reached at (401) 942-6325. You can also follow/tweet @stampouthunger on Twitter.

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Bill exempting school employee evaluations from the public records act passes RI Senate

May 9, 2013, 2:19 pm
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By Linda Borg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The bill exempting all school employee evaluations from the public records act passed the Senate on a vote of 37 to 0 Thursday.

The bill was originally designed to apply only to teacher and administrator evaluations, but it was amended to include all school employees.

The Rhode Island Department of Education said that keeping the content of individual teacher evaluations private would ensure that teachers support the evaluation system, which is new.

RIDE said the bill would not preclude the release of aggregate data on teacher evaluations, much like the state releases student test scores without naming individual scores.

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Brown scientists: Water shows moon, Earth had common origin

May 9, 2013, 3:00 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rocks brought back by the Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 astronauts indicate a common origin for the moon and planet Earth, bolstering the theory that an apocalyptic collision eons ago between Earth and an unknown planet-sized body gouged out debris that gave birth to the moon during the chaos that dominated the early solar system.

Prof. Alberto Saal, of Brown University's geology department, said he and three colleagues reached that conclusion after studying atomic signatures of water trapped within the rocks.

The just-published new theory drew upon work by Brown scientists and others during the past several years that led to the discovery of water on the moon, previously regarded as arid.

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R.I. House votes 52-17 to make state's mandatory seat-belt law permanent

May 9, 2013, 3:24 pm
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By John Hill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island House has voted 52-17 to approve a bill that would make the state's two-year-old seat-belt law permanent.

The vote followed a two-hour debate and two failed attempts to amend the law.

The 2011 law allows the police to stop drivers and issue tickets solely for not wearing their seat belts. Before that, the police could issue seat-belt citations only if they stopped a driver for another reason.

The law was set to expire June 30. Supporters say the law encourages people to wear seat belts and saves lives. Opponents say it's a costly, unnecessary infringement of personal freedoms.

The Senate has not yet voted on the legislation.

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Warwick firefighter wins national 'Sexiest Vegan' contest

May 9, 2013, 3:45 pm
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By Donita Naylor
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

John Halloran, of Wakefield

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- A 41-year-old Warwick firefighter who lives in Wakefield has won a vacation for two to Maui after beating out nine other men for the title of Sexiest Vegan Next Door, the contest's sponsor, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, announced Thursday.


John Halloran said he found out about the contest when his wife, Maryellen, came across a PETA ad while searching for vegan recipes online. She noticed the Hawaiian vacation prize and encouraged him to enter, he said.

Halloran, who has a family history of heart disease and a strong concern for animals, creates vegan dishes for fellow firefighters and has convinced his three children and several colleagues to move toward a plant-based diet.

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Postal service mulls moving its East Greenwich post office to another location in town

May 9, 2013, 4:24 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- The U.S. Postal Service says it is considering plans to move to move the town's post office from 5775 Post Rd. to a yet-to-be-determined site within the town.

Emphasizing that there will be no effect on mail delivery, the postal service says it could save money by moving the post office to a smaller building. It is currently in a building with 19,000 square feet of interior space.

An earlier study had suggested that it was feasible to move operations in East Greenwich to the North Kingstown Post Office.

Postal officials said they will presents their proposal to the Town Council at meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday at Town Hall.

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Cranston City Council approves $256.7-million budget

May 9, 2013, 5:27 pm
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By Paul Davis

CRANSTON, R.I. -- The City Council on Thursday night approved an amended version of Mayor Allan W. Fung's $256.7-million budget for next year.

The budget -- the mayor's fifth -- will raise spending by less than 4 percent, but calls for no new taxes for the year that begins July 1.

The Finance Committee tweaked the mayor's budget last week. After an hour of debate, council members approved the same plan.

A move by Councilman Steven A. Stycos to reduce the personnel director's salary to $35,000 failed.

The budget will rely on federal grants to hire new police officers and firefighters. The new hires will increase the two departments to previous levels --153 police officers and 196 firefighters.

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Intelligence report warned of vulnerability of Boston Marathon finish line

May 9, 2013, 8:04 pm
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By News staff

By Brian Bennett
Tribune Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Five days before two bombs tore through crowds at the Boston Marathon, an intelligence report identified the finish line of the race as an "area of increased vulnerability" and warned Boston police that extremists may use "small scale bombings" to attack spectators and runners at the event.

The 18-page report was written by the Boston Regional Intelligence Center, a command center funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security that helps disseminate intelligence information to local police and first responders.

The "joint special event assessment" is dated April 10. It notes that at the time there was "no credible, specific information indicating an imminent threat" to the race.

"The FBI has not identified any specific lone offender or extremist group who pose a threat to the Boston marathon," the report reads.

Massachusetts authorities dismissed the center's warning as routine and lacking specifics.

"The assessment about start and finish lines being potential targets was considered and reflected in security plans for the event, as they have been every year," David Procopio, a spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police, said in a statement.

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