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Interview with Boston bombing survivor Heather Abbott to air on NBC Friday

May 29, 2013, 2:55 pm
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By Andy Smith

heather-abbott-presser-80b.jpgNEWPORT, R.I. -- Heather Abbott, the Newport woman who lost part of her left leg in the Boston Marathon bombings, is among six bombing survivors interviewed at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital by Brian Williams Wednesday.

Portions of the interview are scheduled to air Friday on three different NBC shows: "Today," "NBC Nightly News" and "Rock Center with Brian Williams."

The other survivors are Roseann Sdola, Celeste Corcoran, Erika Brannock, Adrianne Haslet-Davis and Mery Daniel.

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R.I. spelling champ makes third round, but eliminated on written exam

May 29, 2013, 3:58 pm
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By News staff

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Scripps Howard News photo / Matt Nelson


Stephen Landry, one of the youngest in this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee, takes his turn on the stage Wednesday.



By Thomas Hargrove
Special to the Journal

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Rhode Island state spelling champion Stephen Landry spelled his first two words correctly on national television Wednesday only to be eliminated by the written exam in the 87th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The 10-year-old from North Kingstown was in good company, since only 41 of the original 281 kids advanced to the semifinals starting Thursday afternoon. The finals will be broadcast on ESPN starting at 8 Thursday.

"He set a pretty high goal. He really wanted to get to the semifinals," said Stephen's father, Mark Landry, an electrical engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at Newport.

Stephen hugged his parents and declined comment after the results of the written test, administered Monday, were announced. He was one of the youngest contenders since there were eight 10-year-olds and one 8-year-old in the competition. The rest are 11 to 14 years old.

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Police probing double shooting on Park Avenue, Cranston

May 29, 2013, 5:08 pm
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By News staff

CRANSTON, R.I. -- Police are investigating a double shooting on Park Avenue, near a building housing Pizza Fair and Agostini's Academy of Martial Arts.

The shooting Wednesday apparently occurred in the parking lot for the stores. Police officers at this time are examining a grassy area next to the building, which is next to Woodbine Street.


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House Democrats' economic development bills headed for vote

May 29, 2013, 5:48 pm
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By Philip Marcelo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Key pieces of House Democratic leaders' economic development package will head to the full House of Representatives for a vote next week.

The House Finance Committee approved six of the proposals -- at least one with substantive revisions -- on Wednesday.

Notably, House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo's bill to reorganize state government around a new "Executive Office of Commerce" no longer calls for shifting business and building permitting duties from the state Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal Resources Management Council.

Melo, an East Providence Democrat, said change comes in response to strong protests from Governor Chafee, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and local environmental groups about the risks to Rhode Island's natural assets.

The proposal still calls, however, for the new commerce office to take over duties from some of the state's largest agencies, including the Department of Administration, Business Regulation, and Labor and Training.

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Raimondo still mulling run for R.I. governor despite Chafee party switch

May 29, 2013, 6:27 pm
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By Katherine Gregg


Despite Governor Chafee's decision to change his party affiliation again, state General Treasurer Gina Raimondo said Wednesday she is still "seriously considering" a run for governor.

"The question Rhode Islanders have is who can provide the leadership we need to move our state forward. The governor's decision to change parties for a second time has not changed my thinking," she said.

Chafee's switch from independent to Democrat places him in a potential three-way primary fight with Raimondo and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Neither has announced for governor. But both far outpace Chafee in fundraising and job-approval numbers.

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Cranston police searching for one victim's estranged husband in double shooting

May 29, 2013, 7:05 pm
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By Richard C. Dujardin

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Providence Journal photo / RICHARD C. DUJARDIN


Police investigate the scene of a double shooting in front of Pizza Fair restuarant on Park Avenue.

CRANSTON, R.I. -- The police are searching for a 40-year-old man who they believe shot his estranged wife and a male friend while they sat in the parking lot of a pizza shop at 685 Park Ave. just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the police, Thomas Alejo shot the two victims after parking his black pickup truck at the rear of a building housing both the Pizza Fair restaurant and Agostini's Martial Arts. He then fled in the truck, the police said.

Alejo is described as about 5-feet-7 inches and 170 pounds.

Both victims were taken by Cranston rescue to Rhode Island Hospital for gunshot wounds that police said appeared to be non life-threatening.

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Reed, Whitehouse, Cicilline, Langevin welcome Chafee to Democratic Party

May 30, 2013, 11:54 am
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By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- All four Democrats in Rhode Island's Congressional delegation have issued statements welcoming Governor Chafee, a former Republican who was elected to his current office as an independent, to the Democratic party.

None, however, pledged to support Chafee over his potential Democratic primary contenders in 2014.

But on the day Chafee switched his party affiliation from "unaffiliated'' to Democrat, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said: "Our Democratic party has always stood up for the principles Rhode Islanders care about, and I welcome Governor Chafee to the Democratic party to join us in this fight."

Sen. Jack Reed said: "This is a personal decision for the Governor. I have worked with him for many years. He is a thoughtful and honorable person and his decision is in keeping with that."

Rep. David Cicilline said: "I have known Governor Chafee for many years, have had the privilege of working with him and admire his commitment to public service and to the people of Rhode Island. I welcome Governor Chafee to the Democratic Party today.''

U.S. Rep. James Langevin said: "The Democratic Party has always been a big tent, and I welcome all those who embrace the ideals of Roosevelt, Kennedy, Clinton and the hard-working families who make up our party."

An earlier version of this report was posted at 1:58 p.m.

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Redesigned Newport park to open Friday

May 30, 2013, 12:12 pm
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By News staff

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Providence Journal / Lynn Arditi


Richard Williams, 45, who is visiting a friend in Newport, catches some rays on the stone wall Thursday in Queen Anne Square.

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Queen Anne Square is getting some final touches before its opening Friday.

The park was designed by famed architect Maya Lin and funded by the private foundation of late philanthropist and preservationist, Doris Duke.

The redesigned park, which features stone foundations and new lighting, is meant as a gift to the city in honor of Duke.

Work on the park began in October. The City Council in 2011 approved the $3.5 million redesign but some residents complained it doesn't fit with Newport's character.

Lin is best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

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Central Falls charter school receives leadership award

May 30, 2013, 12:20 pm
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By Linda Borg

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- The Learning Community has received the Rhode Island Foundation's 2013 Community Leadership Award.

Presented to one nonprofit each year, the award acknowledged, as the foundation's Daniel Kertzner said, the school's "creative approaches to collaboration, commitment to putting teachers and professional development at the heart of change, and vision to create opportunities for all children in Rhode Island."

Co-Directors Meg O'Leary and Sarah Friedman accepted the award on behalf of the school and its professional development lab, The Teaching Studio.

"It is so meaningful for our team to be recognized for community leadership," the directors said. "It is at the heart of our mission -- the hardest part of our mission -- going beyond ensuring our students have excellence in content to also having the competencies of leadership."

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3 to receive RISD honorary degrees Saturday

May 30, 2013, 12:22 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island School of Design plans to honor three persons with honorary doctor of fine arts degrees Saturday at its commencement.

They are illustrator and designer Maira Kalman, who will also deliver the keynote address; Swiss designer and artist Karl Gerstner,who is unable to travel to Providence but will accept in absentia; and environmental activist Bill McKibben.

RISD alumna Tamara Kaplan, operations manager at the Providence-based nonprofit New Urban Arts, will accept the Alumni Association's Art and Education Award for outstanding service and leadership in art and design education.

The college plans to confer degrees upon 197 graduate and 462 undergraduate students.

The ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence.

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Senate approves bill requiring notice before closure of for-profit schools

May 30, 2013, 12:24 pm
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By Linda Borg

PROVIDENCE, R.i. -- The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Central Falls) requiring private postsecondary schools to provide refunds and record transfers for students.

The bill would also require that the schools give students 30 days' notice in the event the schools close.

The legislation is in response to the abrupt closure of the Sawyer School in December, which left about 300 students without access to their prepaid tuition money or academic records. The private, for-profit postsecondary school had two locations in Rhode Island, in Pawtucket and Providence.

"Higher education is a significant investment of both time and money for students, and we cannot have it so that students risk losing everything by pursuing a degree or certificate," said Crowley.

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Taveras says run for lieutenant governor not an option

May 30, 2013, 1:08 pm
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By Randal Edgar

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Responding to speculation that he might run for lieutenant governor now that Governor Chafee has become a Democrat, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras said Thursday that "there is no condition under which I would run for lieutenant governor."

"I am seriously considering running for governor. This is the only office I would consider other than the office of mayor," Taveras said through his campaign finance director, Peter Baptista. "News reports or statements implying otherwise are simply untrue."

Chafee, a former Republican who was elected governor as an independent, announced his plan to become a Democrat on Wednesday and filled out the paperwork Thursday morning at Warwick City Hall.

His switch sets up a potentially bruising Democratic primary next year with Taveras and state General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo, who has also said she is considering a run for governor.

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Portsmouth dispensary to begin selling medicinal marijuana Saturday

May 30, 2013, 1:47 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

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Providence Journal / Bob Thayer


Seth Bock, co-owner of Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center in Portsmouth. The service area includes a central meditative fountain with plants.

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. -- Officials are putting the final touches on the Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center with plans to have about 100 ounces of marijuana available for patients on Saturday who have designated the center as a caregiver with the state Health Department.

Seth Bock, co-owner of Greenleaf, said that patients should call the center at (401) 293-5987 to make sure that their applications have been cleared with the health department. The business will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bock said there will be 10 different strains of marijuana that he has bought from caregivers who have a wealth of experience in growing cannabis. Prices will range from $200 to $325 an ounce; $32 to 452 for an eighth of an ounce; and $9 to $15 for a gram.

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Never-before-seen synthetic drug identified; linked to 12 deaths in R.I.

May 30, 2013, 1:59 pm
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By Felice Freyer

A synthetic opiate linked to 12 deaths in Rhode Island has been identified as a never-before-seen variant of the painkiller fentanyl.

"It has not been described elsewhere in the country, or Canada," said Dr. James McDonald, a Health Department physician.

The medical examiner found that 10 people who died between March 7 and April 11 had a substance in their blood that appeared to be an opiate but was not a known drug. Follow-up testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an independent laboratory identified the drug as Acetanilide, n-1-Phenethyl-4-Piperidyl or acetyl fentanyl, an opiate similar to morphine.

Two other deaths have since been linked to the drug. All are from northern Rhode Island and thought to be intravenous drug users.

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Barrington police seek suspect in theft of Alex and Ani jewelry

May 30, 2013, 2:39 pm
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By Donita Naylor
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Barrington Police photo

Surveillance video shows a woman, in black, who was allegedly seen taking about $5,000 worth of Alex & Ani jewelry from Barrington Books. Police are asking anyone with information to call them.

BARRINGTON, R.I. -- Police are asking anyone who recognizes the dark-haired woman in black in the surveillance video to help them catch the woman who allegedly loaded about 160 pieces of Alex and Ani jewelry into her purse on Tuesday and left Barrington Books without paying for them.

The jewelry is valued at more than $5,000. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Benjamin Ferreira at (401) 437-3930.

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R.I. Senate approves Governor Chafee's judicial picks

May 30, 2013, 2:54 pm
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By Katie Mulvaney

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Senate Thursday approved Governor Chafee's nominations of state court magistrates to the Superior Court and the Family Court bench.

The Senate voted 34 to 0 to elevate District Court Magistrate and ex-Senate President Joseph Montalbano to Superior Court judge and Family Court Magistrate Patricia Asquith as judge in the court she has served since 2002. Both are lifetime seats.

The Senate Judiciary Committee moved Asquith's nomination on to the full Senate after an emotional hearing earlier in the afternoon. Her husband, Harry, died last week after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Chafee will swear-in Asquith this evening.

Montalbano thanked his former colleagues after the vote. ".. and, Teresa, I know you moved mountains for me to make this day possible," he said to Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed.

He explained later that he knew he had Weed and Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael McCaffrey's strong support.

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Aquidneck Island on alert for possible power failures

May 30, 2013, 2:54 pm
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By Alex Kuffner

With three power plants and a transmission line in the region shut down for maintenance and the weather unseasonably hot, there is a chance that Aquidneck Island and Jamestown could experience power failures over the next couple of days, according to National Grid.

The utility, which supplies electricity to the two islands and much of the rest of the state, held conference calls with municipal leaders in Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and Jamestown on Wednesday and Thursday to warn them of a possible supply shortage after Independent System Operator New England, which manages the regional power grid, notified the company of the situation.

David Graves, a spokesman for National Grid, said that power failures are a remote possibility, but the call to Aquidneck Island officials was made out of an abundance of caution.


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Central Falls leaders agree to televising City Council meetings

May 30, 2013, 3:02 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Mayor James A. Diossa and City Council President William Benson Jr. rarely agree on anything, but on Thursday they reached common ground. The elected officials have partnered to have City Council meetings run on cable television.

Starting Saturday, Thursday's meeting will be cablecast from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. on the Statewide Interconnect.

''Open and transparent government is crucial for our city's success moving forward," Diossa said.

Added Benson: "Many of our city's residents work late and have child care difficulties. Televising our meetings will be a way for them to interact with their council."

On Cox Cable, the meetings will be cablecast on Channel 13, 14 & 15. Verizon will offer them on Channel 32, 33 & 34. Full Channel will carry them on Channel 13, 14 & 15.

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R.I. GOP slams Democrat Chafee as 'tax-and-spend limousine liberal''

May 30, 2013, 4:17 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- This was the Rhode Island Republican Party's response Thursday to Governor Chafee's latest evolution from "independent'' to registered Democrat:

"Scared of losing the Governor's race in 2014, and at the prospect of facing a skilled executive and leader on the Republican ticket, Rhode Island's tax-and-spend limousine liberal, independent-in-name-only, Governor made official what we knew all along,'' the state GOP's executive director wrote in a fundraising appeal to "fellow Republicans.''

"Chafee's job killing, tax raising, big government, anti-freedom agenda makes him a perfect candidate to run for reelection on the Democratic ticket,'' wrote executive director Matt Fabisch.

"How long will we allow the democrats job killing agenda to chase our children and grandchildren out of Rhode Island simply so that they can find a job? How long will we tolerate policies that force our elderly to abandon their homes for Republican run states with lower taxes and affordable costs of living? The conclusion could not be clearer, Linc Chafee is so busy trying to save his job, he forgot to do his job.''

The e-mail blast seeks donations to finance a campaign to "replace him and his allies in the General Assembly with experienced, pro-growth, Republican leaders.''

There was no response from Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger.

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Kayaker who died off Conimicut Point in Warwick is identified

May 30, 2013, 4:32 pm
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By Maria Armental

WARWICK, R.I. -- A 53-year-old man died Thursday while kayaking in the Conimicut Point Park area in Warwick, the authorities said.

Police identified the man as Edward D. Wessel, of Bellingham, Mass. They said it appeared that Wessel did not die from drowning but from a medical condition.

He was found near a kayak off South Shore Avenue, Capt. Joseph Coffey said. Rescue workers attempted to revive him en route to Kent Hospital.

Previous versions of this item were published at 1:53 and 4:23 p.m.

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