Alessandra Suuberg
Municipal cuts proposed to close the deficit
(Associated Press) — Rhode Island cities and towns would see their state aid cut by more than $65 million under Governor Don Carcieri’s plan to close the state’s $220 million budget deficit.
The Republican governor also wants to sell the site of a former juvenile detention facility in Cranston, and other state property.
No response [...]
State auctions off golden chalices, other unclaimed property
(Associated Press) — The state is auctioning off unclaimed property on the Internet auction site eBay. The items include jewelry, rare coins and two golden chalices that were taken from safe deposit boxes whose owners could not be located.
The auction ends January 11th, and the proceeds go to the state.
Theft in a Middletown cemetery
(Associated Press) — Middletown police are investigating the theft of dozens of decorative vases from headstones in a cemetery.
Police say the 39 vases with a combined value of about $17,600 were stolen from St. Columba’s Cemetery. Some of the vases were brass, and some were aluminum, and can cost up to $600.
Police think the [...]
Census Bureau offering around 3,000 positions in Rhode Island
(MetroSource) — Around 3,000 Rhode Islanders could get temporary work with the US Census Bureau.
The Bureau is looking to fill the seasonal positions from January to June of 2010.
Potential applicants can contact the local census office on North Street in Providence, or on Kilvert Street in Warwick.
Reed stands behind new plans for Afghanistan
(Associated Press) — Democratic senators have expressed some doubts about President Barack Obama’s newly announced strategy for Afghanistan. But according to the Providence Journal, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed is standing behind the policy.
Reed is reportedly playing down Democrats’ objections and countering Republican criticism of the plan, which includes sending 30,000 more troops to [...]
Where Michigan and Rhode Island stand alone
(Associated Press) — New figures show only two states lost population in the three years from 2006 to 2008: Rhode Island and Michigan.
The study by Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute shows Michigan lost about 80,000 residents and Rhode Island about 2,000.
Deval Patrick saw no security lapses at “party-crashed” White House dinner
(Associated Press) – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he spotted no lapses in security at last week’s White House state dinner, and is surprised that two uninvited guests were able to crash the party.
Patrick – a friend and supporter of the President – and his wife, Diane, had invitations to the event.
Patrick said they passed [...]
Racial slur painted at affordable housing development in Barrington
(Associated Press) – A 21-year-old Marine has pleaded no contest to charges he painted a racial slur at the entrance to an affordable housing development under construction in Barrington.
A police report says the individual told an officer the development was lowering property values.
He was arrested last week.
New location for downtown Providence’s only food pantry
(MetroSource) – The only food pantry in downtown Providence has moved to the First Universalist Church on Washington Street.
The move was necessary in order to expand the quantity of products offered to the needy. The pantry, operated by the Providence Intown Churches Association, has seen increased demand. Officials said that, since [...]
Search is off for missing West Warwick fisherman
(Associated Press) — The Coast Guard has called off a search for a West Warwick fisherman reported missing in
Narragansett Bay.
Officials say Chester Kidd called a friend Monday from his cell phone, saying that his boat was going down.
The boat was found Tuesday in about 20 feet of water.
