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Providence robbery suspect arrested in repeat crime

May 21, 2013, 1:46 pm
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By Amanda Milkovits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- You, again?

Exactly one week after he jumped the counter with a knife and robbed the Trinity Shell Gas Station in the Elmwood neighborhood, 31-year-old Julio Marshall returned for his encore Monday afternoon, the Providence police say.

Same gas station. Same clerk. Different ending.

Marshall jumped the counter, held the knife at the 19-year-old clerk's back, and demanded that she open the cash register, according to a police report. He cleaned it out, again, and ran away.

The clerk told the police that the suspect was the same man who robbed the station on May 13 -- 6 feet tall, with a goatee, neck tattoo and glasses.

The police caught Marshall within minutes, still carrying the butcher knife, the report said.

Marshall is being held without bail on two first-degree robbery charges.

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Pats' owner pitches Boston-Providence as Super Bowl site

May 21, 2013, 2:21 pm
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By Paul Kenyon

It is obviously only a dream at this point, but Robert Kraft, the Patriots' owner, Tuesday brought up the possibility of having a Super Bowl in Foxboro.

"It would be great. I sort of like Boston/Providence (as a site),'' Kraft said.

The league has begun going to cold weather sites for the Super Bowl, including at The Meadowlands for next season.

"We would love one day to hold it here if it's a good experience there,'' Kraft commented. ``We're looking forward to seeing this experience in New York and New Jersey.''

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Derderians say they didn't know they had to carry insurance for Station employees

May 21, 2013, 2:25 pm
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By Tracy Breton

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Michael and Jeffrey Derderian say the reason they didn't buy required workers' compensation insurance for their Station nightclub employees was because they were under the mistaken impression they they didn't need to have it since none of their workers were full-time.

In newly filed court papers, they say that they did buy such insurance for another business they ran with full-time employees, "demonstrating that the lack of insurance at the Station was not because of a flagrant disregard for the law."

The brothers are urging the state Supreme Court to review the $1.066-million penalty that has been levied against them for failing to have workers' compensation insurance for their Station workers, four of of whom died in the catastrophic blaze on Feb. 20, 2003.

Related: Labor Dept.: Time for Station nightclub owners to pay fine for lack of workers' comp coverage

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R.I. Senate passes school safety bills, including measures to keep safety plans, discussions secret

May 21, 2013, 2:36 pm
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By Lynn Arditi

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Senate has passed a package of school safety bills, including one that would keep all meetings and documents about school safety plans secret.

The secrecy measure, introduced with the support of Governor Chafee, has sparked opposition from The Rhode Island Press Association and other open government groups.

State lawmakers and the governor proposed the bills last month in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

One bill would require all schools to conduct school safety assessments and establish training and protocols for "responding to acts violence" including bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions and kidnappings.

Schools also would be required to conduct annual reviews and updates of emergency plans to be submitted by Nov. 1.

The bill and a related measure would exempt all school safety assessments and meetings and documents related to them from the state Open Meetings and Access to Public Records laws.

The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives.

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Providence man sent to ACI in connection with hit-and-run that critically injured 5-year-old boy

May 21, 2013, 2:40 pm
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By Maria Armental

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A 22-year-old Providence man has been sent to the Adult Correctional Institutions in connection with a hit-and-run accident on Monday that critically injured a 5 year-old boy.

The boy, Kharon Pon,is at Hasbro Children's Hospital, where his condition was upgraded Tuesday afternoon to "serious."

Police arrested Terrell Taylor after he returned to the scene of the hit-and-run on Linwood Avenue while they were investigating the accident around 6 p.m. Monday. He was ordered held on $20,000 bail Tuesday in a District Court arraignment on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, injury or death resulting.

Court spokesman Craig Berke said Taylor was sent to the ACI after failing to make bail. Berke noted that Taylor was already on a two-year probation that began when he pleaded no contest in February to a charge indecent exposure, subsequent offense, stemming from an incident on Aug. 28, 2011.

At the time Taylor was ordered to undergo mental-health treatment and to have no contact with his victim.

-- Earlier versions of this report were published at 9:59 and 11:37 a.m.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits and Richard C. Dujardin

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Providence Chamber of Commerce supports education Commissioner Gist

May 21, 2013, 2:44 pm
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By Linda Borg

PROVIDENCE, RI. -- The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is the latest in a series of organizations to weigh on education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist's contract.

In a letter Tuesday, the chamber has asked the business community to express their support for Gist by writing to school board Chairwoman Eva Marie Mancuso. The board is scheduled to discuss Gist's contract in closed session Thursday.

The chamber praised Gist for closing the achievement gap, supporting high-quality teaching and using innovative strategies to improve results. Among her achievements, the chamber mentioned a statewide funding formula and a multimillion dollar early learning grant.

"It is critical that as a community, we support the continued leadership of an individual who understands the direct and tangible connection between educational rigor and economic development," the chamber wrote.

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Rating agency raises Johnston's bond rating from A- to A

May 21, 2013, 3:06 pm
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By Mark Reynolds

JOHNSTON, R.I. -- Citing stronger financial performance and progress in the town's efforts to considerably reduce unfunded liabilities, Standard & Poor's upgraded Johnston's bond rating Tuesday from a grade of A- to A.

The rating agency observed strong household income, a record of surpluses in the town's general operating fund, and "good financial management policies" in an announcement welcomed by Mayor Joseph M. Polisena.

"I was very pleased," he said. "Every day the council and myself are working to keep things together...It's always a work in progress but we're working diligently."

The rating agency also highlighted that unemployment in Johnston is above national averages and despite recent progress, the town remains burdened by high liabilities related to unfunded obligations for pensions and post-employment liabilities.

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RI manufacturer's survey finds 80 percent will hire in next 3 years

May 21, 2013, 3:10 pm
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By Andy Smith

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- A survey of about 250 Rhode Island manufacturers finds more than 80 percent of respondents plan to add workers in the next three years.

The survey, part of the Rhode Island Manufacturing Renaissance Project, contacted companies with 20 employees or more. Despite their desire to hire, more than half the companies said they were having difficulty finding both entry and advanced-level workers.

Although 56 percent of the respondents have already expanded operations, capital investments remain relatively small. Only 13 percent had made investments of $1 million or more, while 56 percent were under $250,000.

About a third said they need additional financing for capital improvements, research, adding inventory and market expansion. The survey was financed by a $60,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.

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Police identify 19-year-old shot, killed Monday night in Providence

May 21, 2013, 3:40 pm
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By News staff
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Journal photo/ Kathy Borchers

It was quiet Tuesday morning on Steere Street, Providence, where a 19-year-old man was found shot Monday night.

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Photo courtesy Marchand family

Tyler Marchand

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The police have identified the man slain in Olneyville Monday night as Tyler J. Marchand, 19, of Salmon Street, Providence.

Marchand is the city's fifth homicide victim this year.

Marchand was found on the ground just after 10 Monday night in front of 14 Steere Ave., with a gunshot wound to his back. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.


Earlier versions of this were published at 12:01 p.m. and 6:55 a.m.

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Pawtucket man held on charges of burning wife

May 21, 2013, 3:44 pm
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By Amanda Milkovits

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- A Pawtucket man is accused of using a hot skillet to burn his wife's body, searing her legs, groin, abdomen and breasts, and leaving her disfigured.

Danilo Cabrera, 42, was crying as Officer Alexander Smith walked into the Benefit Street apartment Saturday afternoon, said Pawtucket Police Maj. Arthur Martins. The 34-year-old woman was lying on a bed, in extreme pain, with burn marks over her body, according to a police report.

Smith arrested Cabrera and seized a small iron skillet that had burned skin attached to it, the report said.

Cabrera was charged with domestic felony assault and domestic disorderly conduct. Magistrate Joseph Ippolito Jr. arraigned Cabrera on Monday, setting bail at $50,000 with surety and issuing a no-contact order.

Cabrera remained held Tuesday at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

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State trying to close projected $30 million budget deficit

May 21, 2013, 5:01 pm
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By Randal Edgar

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- As they put together a budget for the year that begins July 1, state officials will be trying to close a $30-million deficit.

The figure is the result of a revenue and caseload estimating conference that wrapped up last week with reduced revenue estimates, both this year and next year.

Revenues for the current year are now projected to be $3.3 billion -- $4.9 million below earlier estimates. And revenues for next year are now projected to be $3.2 billion -- $51.2 million below earlier estimates.

Savings in cash and medical assistance programs are partially expected to offset the lower revenues, but not enough to erase the projected $30 million deficit, according to figures from the state Budget Office.

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Biweekly pay bill headed to R.I. House for Thursday vote

May 21, 2013, 5:03 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Despite "vigorous'' opposition from the AFL-CIO, the House Finance Committee has approved long-sought legislation to allow private-sector employers to pay their employees every other week.

The legislation is now Number #1 on the House calendar for Thursday.

The AFL-CIO position: "For workers, there is already too much week left at the end of their pay.''

But Rhode Island is the only state that still requires weekly payment of private sector wages, with a handful of exceptions for large employers - such as CVS and Fidelity that have more than 2,500 employees.

The Rhode Island Manufacturers' Association is among those arguing:
"From an overall business competitiveness standpoint, this is an obstacle not only for new companies looking to locate here, but also expansion of current RI businesses is impacted. This policy virtually doubles a company's annual payroll processing costs.

"We understand fully and appreciate the hesitance and reluctance in addressing this issue but believe that the vast majority of companies doing business in RI today are unfairly punished because of an extremely small number of unfortunate occurrences.''

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House hearing amid OHHS attempts to leave state-owned space

May 21, 2013, 5:10 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Chafee administration has given Providence building owners until June 3 to put in their bids to sign a new tenant up for a 10-year lease: the state's Office of Health & Human Services headed by former Rep. Steven Costantino.

The House Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on 10 long-term lease proposals, requiring General Assembly approval. This one is not yet far enough along to provide the lawmakers with a definitive price or address.

The administration is seeking to move more than 150 workers from state-owned space in the Cranston state government complex to 70,000 to 80,000 square feet of leased office space in Providence, with access to 300 parking spaces.

"The build out of the space will include 48 private offices and 6 conference rooms'' and "204 modular furniture workstations.''

The opportunity drew early interest from some of downtown's most prominent developers and property owners, including former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., and representatives from the Carpionato Group, Cornish Associates and Sharpe Building Associates.

Cornish is involved in the proposed renovation of the vacant "Superman" office building at 111 Westminster St. OHHS administers Rhode Island's Medicaid health-care program and other health, social-service and welfare programs.

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Fire heavily damages apartment building in Central Falls, eight displaced

May 21, 2013, 6:55 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Eight people were forced to flee their three apartments after a two-alarm fire swept through their three-story building around 7 p.m Tuesday.

Fire Capt. Richard Botelho said fire fighters from Pawtucket, North Providence, and Lincoln came to assist the firefighters from Central Falls in quelling the blaze at 41-43 Hendricks St. He said the blaze burned out much of the third floor and and left smoke and water damage to the two others.

The origin and the cause of the fire were yet to be determined by the fire marshal, Botelho said, and all eight people who had been living in the structure were to be put up by the Red Cross.

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Police ID man who died after crash on Main Avenue in Warwick

May 22, 2013, 12:19 pm
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By Tatiana Pina

WARWICK, R.I. - - The Warwick Police have identified the Warwick man who died after his motorcycle collided with a truck on Main Ave. Tuesday as 27-year-old Joel Constantineau.

An initial investigation showed that Constantineau, of Reynolds Ave., was traveling west on Main Avenue while a truck driven by Sal Biscardi was exiting the Shell Gas station northbound attempting to cross over Main Avenue onto Covington Dr. when the collision occurred. Biscardi, of Thrush Road in Warwick, was not injured.

Police say at this time it does not appear that Constantineau was wearing a helmet.

The accident is still under investigation. Police said at this time it does not appear that speeding or the use of alcohol was a factor in the crash. Police cited Biscardi for entering from a private drive or road.

The police ask that anyone with information regarding the crash contact the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at (401)468-4343.

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12-year-old Mass. boy wins National Geographic Bee

May 22, 2013, 1:10 pm
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By News staff

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gaining confidence as he nailed questions about obscure island chains, bodies of water, global trade and culture, 12-year-old Sathwik Karnik cruised to victory Wednesday in the 2013 National Geographic Bee.

To clinch the title, Sathwik correctly named Chimborazo as the mountain in Ecuador that represents the farthest point from the Earth's center. Chimborazo is farther from the center than Mount Everest because the Earth bulges at the equator.

Sathwik, of Plainville, Mass., got all five questions right in his one-on-one duel with the runner-up, 13-year-old Conrad Oberhaus of Lincolnshire, Ill.

Sathwik pushed ahead of Conrad on the second question, correctly naming Baotou as the largest city in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which is home to one of the world's largest deposits of rare-earth elements.

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Proposed North Providence budget would hike tax rate 14 cents

May 22, 2013, 1:24 pm
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By Mark Reynolds

NORTH PROVIDENCE -- The Town Council will take public input Thursday night on its proposal to hike the tax rate by 14 cents and spend $89.5 million during the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The final public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the council's chambers in Town Hall.

The council's budget proposal would raise an additional $325,000 in tax revenue, according to Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, who says he will not veto the council's proposal.

This would mean a tax increase of about $20 for a home of average value, which is assessed at $185,000 and taxed at $148,000 based on a homestead exemption, Lombardi said.

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R.I. education board chairwoman says Chafee still supports Commissioner Gist

May 22, 2013, 1:37 pm
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By Linda Borg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State Board of Education Chairwoman Eva-Marie Mancuso said Governor Chafee is still fully behind Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist, despite the groundswell of opposition from teachers.

But Mancuso said it is far too early to speculate whether the board will offer Gist a three-year-contract or something shorter. The full board will meet at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss Gist's contract, which expires in early June.

That discussion will be held in closed session. The board will not vote Thursday night, according to Mancuso.

"We haven't had this discussion with the full board," she said. "I'll make sure the board has all of the letters. That's why I didn't ask for a vote (Thursday) night."

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R.I. Senate votes to raise minimum wage to $8 an hour

May 22, 2013, 1:54 pm
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By Lynn Arditi

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Senate voted to raise Rhode Island's minimum wage 25 cents to $8 an hour beginning on January 1, 2014.

The vote was 31 to 6.

The measure now goes before the House.

If approved, the increase would make Rhode Island's minimum wage identical to Massachusett's.

Rhode Island's current minimum wage of $7.75 per hour is also lower than in Connecticut ($8.25) but higher than in New Hampshire ($7.25) and Maine ($7.50). Vermont's minimum wage is $8.60 an hour, the highest in New England.

(The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.)


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House passes Woonsocket supplemental tax

May 22, 2013, 2:05 pm
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By News staff

PROVIDENCE -- The state House of Representatives, on a 65-6 vote, passed its version of a $2.5 million end-of-the-fiscal-year supplemental tax to help the city of Woonsocket balance its 2012-13 budget.

The bill would allow the state-appointed Budget Commission running the city to raise about $1 million in a special residential real estate tax bill and about $1.5 million through a special charge on motor vehicles. It would exempt owner-occupied houses and condominium units from the supplemental tax.

The House bill differs from the Senate version, which would raise $1.5 million through residential property taxes and $1 million via car taxes. The Senate bill also would give the commission the authority to grant elderly residents tax exemptions, something not included in the House bill.

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