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Central Falls launches summer bike patrols Tuesday

May 28, 2013, 1:04 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

CENTRAL FALLS -- Mayor James A. Diossa and Police Col. James J. Mendonca announced on Tuesday the police force has launched bicycle patrols to fight crime in the city.

"There are many benefits to having our police officers on bicycles, however, the most important ones are visibility and mobility,'' said Mendonca. "The visibility of an officer on a bicycle cannot be matched.''

Mendonca said the bike patrols are similar to the old days when officers walked the beat in the city.

Diossa also endorsed the plan and said the patrols will "only serve to strengthen the relationships between the hard-working men and women of our police department and the community.''

He said that a police officer is more approachable on a bike versus a car.

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In RI, 'cool' May hasn't been as bad as you think

May 28, 2013, 1:42 pm
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By News staff
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Providence Journal photo / Kathy Borchers

Amanda Oliveira, of Exeter, an employee for seven years, puts eggplant seedlings into containers for planting in the fields.

Schartner Farms in Exeter hasn't been affected much by this month's weather -- which may have felt colder, but the National Weather Service says is, in fact, warmer than previous Mays.

The greenhouse staff at Schartner reports eggplant planting got bumped back a week and the strawberry fields got some irrigation at midnight on the nights it went below 37 degrees.

National Weather Service meteorologist Charlie Foley cautioned Tuesday that there are still a few more days to go before June, and the temperatures will only get warmer.

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Montalbano's nomination to Superior Court sails through Senate judiciary panel

May 28, 2013, 2:03 pm
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By Katie Mulvaney

montalbano_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Not a critical word was said before the state Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-0 to move Governor Chafee's nomination of former Senate president and current District Court Magistrate Joseph A. Montalbano to the Superior Court bench on to the full Senate.

Speakers on Tuesday, including state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Suttell and Justice Frank Flaherty and District Court Chief Judge Jeanne LaFazia, credited Montalbano's keen mind, compassion, legal knowledge and integrity.

Montalbano noted that with the Senate's assent he would become the first former senator to be elevated to Superior Court since merit selection was put in place 25 years ago. He said it would open the door to the same "to happen to many of you."

Montalbano would take the lifetime seat left open after Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr.'s retirement in March 2012. Based on his two decades in office, Montalbano's salary would be $175,318, according to courts spokesman Craig N. Berke.

Montalbano represented parts of Lincoln, Pawtucket and North Providence until he lost his bid for reelection in 2008. A year earlier, he paid a $12,000 ethics fine for failing to disclose work he did for the Town of West Warwick involving land near the location of a proposed Harrah's-backed Narragansett Indian casino.

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Interior Secretary Jewell to visit RI for trails day

May 28, 2013, 2:18 pm
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By News staff

jewell_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The secretary of the U.S. Interior Department will tour Rhode Island -- in part by kayak -- to highlight the economic benefits of conserving public lands.

Sally Jewell is scheduled to visit the state on Friday ahead of its celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced the visit Tuesday.

The Rhode Island Democrat says he and Jewell will tour parks, trails and waterways and discuss his legislation, which would create a new national historical park within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Reed says the designation would bring important economic, environmental and cultural benefits to Rhode Island.

National Trails Day aims to promote the 200,000 miles of trails throughout the U.S.

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Lawyer accused in Navy kickback scheme reaches plea agreement with federal prosecutors

May 28, 2013, 2:22 pm
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By Mark Reynolds

orourke_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Warwick lawyer accused of participating in a kickback scheme that allegedly looted $10 million in Navy contract funds has reached a plea agreement that could keep her out of prison.

Under the terms of the agreement, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Providence, Mary E. O'Rourke has agreed to plea guilty to a charge of theft of government property and federal prosecutors have agreed to recommend probation rather than imprisonment.

The agreement is null and void if another figure in the case, Ralph Mariano, fails to plea guilty, too.

Federal prosecutors did not reach any other plea agreement in the matter on Tuesday, according to Jim Martin, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

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Chafee's final nominee to EDC board wins Senate committee approval

May 28, 2013, 2:38 pm
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By Kate Bramson

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Chafee's final nominee to fill seats on the board of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation won unanimous approval Tuesday from the Senate Commerce Committee, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said.

Maeve Donohue, 41, and president of Nami Studios, now faces the approval of the full Senate. If confirmed, she would fill the seat vacated by Jack Templin, which expires Feb. 1, 2015.

Nami Studios, in Barrington, is an integrated design, marketing and communications company, where Donohue works with small businesses and corporate brands on their web strategies, social media and graphic design needs.

Two people spoke on Donohue's behalf: Alayne White, from Alayne White Spas, and Seth Milman, a patent attorney.

Donohue was the final of eight nominees Chafee made to fill seats on the 13-member board that were vacated after former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's state-backed 38 Studios went bankrupt.

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Chafee exploring costs of not paying back 38 Studios bonds

May 28, 2013, 2:54 pm
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By Randal Edgar

chafee-80.jpgPROVIDENCE -- The Chafee administration is sticking to its position that the state must pay back the lenders who financed Curt Schilling's failed videogame company, 38 Studios, but it is also gathering information on the costs of not paying the money back.

Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger said Tuesday that while the governor's position has not changed, that "doesn't mean you don't analyze what the situation is, or gather data to understand the ramifications of what that decision would be."

The state has been gathering that information for several months, she said.

Chafee and other state leaders have said that even though the state is not legally obligated to repay the bond holders, its "moral obligation" would make it unwise and costly not to do so.

Chafee has proposed an initial $2.5-million payment, followed by $12.5 million each of the following seven years. That would allow the state to pay down roughly $112.6 million -- $75 million for the initial borrowing and $37.6 million in interest-- over 10 years.

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Furlough notifications going out to civilian Navy employees in Newport

May 28, 2013, 3:25 pm
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By Andy Smith

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Hundreds of letters notifying civilian Navy employees of mandatory unpaid furloughs were distributed Tuesday, with more expected in the next few days.

The furloughs require that employees take the equivalent of one unpaid day off per week for 11 weeks. Furloughs begin 30 days after receipt of the letter. The furloughs are part of cost-saving measures required by mandatory federal budget cuts.

A spokesman for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center said about 300 employees received letters Tuesday. About 440 letters are being distributed to employees of the Naval War College.

There are 4,211 civilian employees working under the auspices of Naval Station Newport, which supports "tenant commands" such as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and the Naval War College.

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Central Falls mayor introduces his first city budget

May 28, 2013, 3:30 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

diossa_80.jpgCENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Mayor James A. Diossa Tuesday night introduced his budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and the expenditures are more than $200,000 less than was allotted in the Debt Adjustment Plan that was approved by the federal Bankruptcy Court last year.

The $16,681,165 budget was delivered to the City Council, which will hold public hearings on the spending plans on Thursday and next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.

Diossa did not touch the debt adjustment plan that calls for 4 percent property tax increases this year. He also plans on hiring a school resource officer for the first time since June 2011 and spent about $30,000 to hire professional grant writers to find more money.

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Crowd shows up to hear Warwick schools ask city for more funding

May 28, 2013, 4:05 pm
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By Barbara Polichetti

WARWICK, R.I. -- About 200 people turned out for Tuesday's City Council meeting to hear school officials make a case for increased local funding of Warwick schools in the coming fiscal year.

School officials stressed that while their proposed $160.6-million budget is up only about $1.3 million from this year's spending, they need nearly $4 million more from the city.

The reason, they said, is that in recent years their budget has been supplemented with infusions from a past surplus and that money is now depleted.

School Committee Chairwoman Bethany Furtado said that the city has not increased its funding for schools at all over the past three to four years and the district can no longer do "more with less."


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Raimondo-backed legislation to aid crime victims clears House

May 28, 2013, 5:35 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

raimondo_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. - Legislation championed by state Treasurer Gina Raimondo to provide up to $2,500 to victims of a violent crime for relocation expenses cleared the House Tuesday on a 70-to-1 vote. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The bill would also expand the kinds of crime scene cleanup costs eligible for for up to $2,000 in emergency compensation.

The Crime Victim Compensation Program helps crime victims with costs associated with violent crimes, including medical expenses and loss of earnings up to $25,000.

According to the general treasurer's office, the state awarded 422 families with 1,300 payments totaling $1.9 million through the program in Fiscal Year 2012.

Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, D-Providence, the main sponsor of the bill in the House, has said the legislation is aimed at helping "victims who've fallen into life-threatening and abusive situations for which they have to relocate to get away from predators bringing harm to them and their children."

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Chafee spokeswoman confirms he will register as Democrat Thursday

May 29, 2013, 12:58 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

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Providence Journal / Frieda Squires


Governor Lincoln Chafee arrives in Galilee after spending Wednesday on Block Island.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A spokeswoman for Governor Chafee has confirmed that Republican-turned-Independent Chafee will switch his political party once again and become a Democrat on Thursday.

Chafee will officially announce his switch from "unaffiliated'' to Democrat at Warwick City Hall, after filling out the paperwork, according to spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger.

The move is not unexpected for Chafee, who spoke at the National Democratic Convention. Asked his reasons, Hunsinger said: "a recognition that the Democratic party and he are aligned on policies and principles,'' and that there is "strength in numbers when it comes to fighting for Rhode Island taxpayers.''

Chafee was a Republican councilman and mayor of Warwick and U.S. Senator. He shed his party affiliation after losing his 2006 bid for re-election to the Senate. He was elected governor as an independent in 2010.


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Central Falls police arrest two in shooting

May 29, 2013, 1:10 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan
ryancooley.jpg

Ryan Cooley

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Pajuan Draper

Photos courtesy Central Falls police

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- The police said Wednesday that they have arrested two men in a Sunday shooting in the Summer Street area in which one victim was wounded and another injured during a struggle.

Pajuan Draper, 25, and Ryan Cooley, 24, both of Central Falls, were charged with felony assault, carrying a firearm without a license, firing in a compact area, and conspiracy.
Bail was set at $40,000 for both. Draper additionally was held as a probation violator in an unrelated narcotics case.

Police did not respond to inquiries about the identity of the victims or other details of the incident. Investigators said in a news release that neither victim suffered life-threatening injuries.

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Court won't block Sakonnet River Bridge tolls, at least for now

May 29, 2013, 1:13 pm
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By Bruce Landis

PROVIDENCE - A federal judge declined to issue a restraining order against the collection of tolls on the Sakonnent River Bridge, a spokeswoman for the state Turnpike and Bridge Authority said.

Senior Judge Ronald R. Lagueux declined to issue the order against state and federal agencies, she said. The authority says it intends to start collecting tolls in July.

The Town of Portsmouth, together with nearby towns, sued the government agencies, arguing that the tolls violate federal rules in several respects. Residents living and doing business near the new bridge say it will have a disastrous effect on their economy.

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Boston firm buys Gateway Center in Providence

May 29, 2013, 1:20 pm
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By Paul Grimaldi

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The office building at the foot of the State House lawn sold last Thursday for $13.2 million to a Boston real estate firm.

Albany Road Real Estate Partners bought the Gateway Center building in Capital Center -- the second purchase in Rhode Island this year for the fledgling firm.

Earlier this year, Albany Road closed a $13.6 million purchase of a four-story office building in Warwick's MetroCenter office park.

The building next to the Providence train station was constructed in 1989, financed by $23 million in state bonds.The four-story building at 15 Park Row West has had a number of owners and primary tenants. It is 86-percent leased. Among the tenants are Admirals Bank, software firm Andera and The Big East conference.

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RIPTA passengers ride free on Thursday due to air quality alert

May 29, 2013, 1:47 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Anticipating that air quality will reach an unhealthy level because of a humid air mass and a higher than usual amount of ground-level ozone, state officials have announced rides on all regular buses and trolleys run by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will be free on Thursday.

The Department of Environmental Management said it anticipates that ozone levels will continue particularly in the southern areas of the state as long as hot sunny weather persists.

According to DEM and health officials, the higher levels can cause throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and aggravation of asthma, all of which can be worsened by exercise and heavy activity.


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2nd medical marijuana dispensary gets OK to open in RI

May 29, 2013, 1:51 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

PROVIDENCE -- The Health Department announced late Wednesday that Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center in Portsmouth has been issued its registration certificate, meaning that the company is permitted to sell medical marijuana.

The dispensary at 1637 W. Main Rd. in Portsmouth will be the second to open in the state.

Last month, the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center opened at 1 Corliss St., in Providence, across the street from the main post office off of Charles St. Officials there said that 850 patients in the state medical marijuana program have registered with Slater.

Patients are allowed to designate up to two caregivers, or suppliers, of their medical marijuana.

Dr. Seth Bock, co-owner of Greenleaf, has previously said that he hopes to open for business as soon as possible.

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Bishop Tobin to ordain two Catholic priests Saturday at Providence's cathedral

May 29, 2013, 2:18 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

tobin_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Diocese of Providence will ordain two more men to the priesthood in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

The Rev. Mr. Scott Carpentier and the Rev. Mr. Thomas Woodhouse, who have been deacons for the past year, will be ordained by Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.

In preparation for the event, the Diocese has invited the public to a Holy Hour for priestly vocations Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Ave., with Auxiliary Bishop Robert C .Evans presiding.

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Rhode Island Energy Challenge kicks off

May 29, 2013, 2:40 pm
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By Alex Kuffner

Cranston, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Energy Challenge, a campaign that aims to promote energy efficiency through friendly competition, kicked off on Wednesday with an event at the Roger Williams Park Casino.

Participants in the challenge, including the CIty of Cranston, the Town of North Smithfield, Citizens Bank and Rhode Island Interfaith Power and Light, announced their intention to reduce how much electricity and natural gas they use.

'Cranston intends on winning," said Mayor Allan Fung. "We want people to become energy champions."

The goal for each participant in the challenge -- homeowners, businesses and nonprofits -- is to find four energy-saving actions that they can pass on to others. Ratepayers can sign up for the challenge, which is part of National Grid's energy efficiency program, at www.FindYourFour.com.

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R.I. House Speaker Fox pleased that Chafee will become a Democrat

May 29, 2013, 2:45 pm
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By Randal Edgar

fox_80.jpgPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Saying "the Democratic Party has always been about inclusion," House Speaker Gordon Fox said Wednesday that he is "certainly pleased" that Governor Chafee has decided to join the Democratic Party.

"I have not had the opportunity to discuss his decision and his future plans, but I look forward to talking about it with him soon. I have enjoyed an excellent personal relationship with the Governor and he has always been a true gentleman," Fox said.

Chafee, a former Republican, won the 2010 governor's race as an independent, but his spokeswoman said Wednesday that he will switch his affiliation on Thursday and register as a Democrat.

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