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Storm watches issued for RI, MA as Hurricane Earl approaches

Eric Johnson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:52:56 +0000

A hurricane watch has been issued for part of Cape Cod and the islands, and a tropical storm watch is in effect elsewhere along the Rhode Island and Massachusetts coasts.

As Hurricane Earl heads north, emergency officials are preparing for the worst. Forecasters think the Category 4 storm will pass 50 to 100 miles off the coast of Nantucket on Friday, bringing high winds, heavy rain and dangerous waves.

Rhode Island officials in particular say they want to avoid a repeat of the disastrous floods that tore through the state in March.

Angry driver attacks fellow motorist with an ax in Warwick

Eric Johnson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:17:46 +0000

In Warwick, police say a man was sent to the hospital yesterday when an angry driver attacked him with an ax.

The apparent road rage incident ended with Joseph Gallagher receiving head and thigh wounds. Gallagher’s injuries are not considered life-threatening, but police say his attacker is still at large. They’re looking for two men driving a red Hyundai Elantra with the Rhode Island license plate HJ 396.

How to protect yourself from EEE-positive mosquitoes in RI

Eric Johnson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:07:26 +0000

Health officials in Rhode Island say mosquitoes in Westerly have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare but dangerous virus. To protect yourself from mosquitoes carrying EEE, the state Department of Health has issued the following advice:

Use bug spray with DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Make sure that bug spray does not have more than 30% DEET. Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants.
At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes are most active), minimize outside activities. If you are outside, HEALTH strongly recommends wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and using bug spray.
Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that have holes.
Get rid of anything around your house and yard that collects water. One cup of water can produce thousands of mosquitoes!
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week.
Clean your gutters so that they can drain properly.
Remove any water from unused swimming pools or boats and cover them.
Help your neighbors, friends, and family do the same things.
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week.
Clean gutters so that they can drain properly.
Remove any water from unused swimming pools or boats and cover them.

Click here to read the full announcement from the RI Department of Health.

Providence Chipotle gets its liquor license

Alessandra Suuberg — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:11:05 +0000

[AP] – A restaurant opening near Brown University has been granted a liquor license after the university withdrew its opposition.

Brown had objected to Chipotle Mexican Grill’s application for a liquor license that would have allowed the restaurant to serve beer, wine and mixed drinks until 2 a.m.

Brown withdrew its opposition when Chipotle agreed to serve only beer and margaritas, and only until 10 p.m.

Congressional hopefuls gear up for second TV debate

Alessandra Suuberg — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:43:21 +0000

[AP] – The four Democrats vying to replace Patrick Kennedy in Congress are having their second TV debate ahead of the September 14th primary.

The 8 p.m. debate between Providence Mayor David Cicilline, former Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch, businessman Anthony Gemma and state Representative David Segal airs on WLNE-TV.

St. Laurent wife, son plead guilty

Emily Jones — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:17:24 +0000

Photo licensed under Creative Commons, courtesy lifeunderthedeadline.wordpress.com

The mob really is a family business. The wife and son of reputed mobster Anthony “The Saint” St. Laurent have pleaded guilty to extortion. Dorothy St. Laurent and Anthony St. Laurent, Jr. entered the pleas yesterday as part of a deal with prosecutors. They’re accused of taking “protection money” from bookmakers on behalf of the elder St. Laurent. He’s awaiting trial for extortion and an alleged murder-for-hire scheme.

Two plead not guilty in N. Providence corruption case

Emily Jones — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:14:42 +0000

The middlemen in the North Providence corruption scheme say they’re not guilty, either. Robert Ciresi and Edward Imondi pleaded not guilty to federal extortion, bribery, and conspiracy charges. They’re also charged with pocketing part of the bribes they allegedly delivered to three former North Providence councilmen. That trio all resigned from council in the wake of their arrest. But they’ve all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Student fights downloading fine

Emily Jones — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:10:39 +0000

Photo licensed by Creative Commons, courtesy of flickr user Flare.

One local student is fighting back against heavy fines for illegal downloading. Joel Tenenbaum – a Boston University grad student and Providence native – is appealing the federal ruling that fined him $67,500 for downloading music. He has admitted to downloading illegally between 1999 and 2007. A judge already reduced the fine by ten percent.

Mayoral candidates focus on finances

Emily Jones — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:36:21 +0000

City finances were the hot topic at last night’s Providence Mayoral debate. In their first televised debate, all five people running for the seat claimed they’d be best to handle the city’s grave financial situation. Whoever wins will take on a city facing a 52 million-dollar deficit for the 2011 fiscal year. The candidates also pointed to a pension shortfall nearing 1 billion dollars.

Some MA police turn blind eye to marijuana

Emily Jones — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:07:40 +0000

Having a small amount of weed might not even get you a fine. Some towns in Massachusetts are giving up on enforcing the law that decriminalized possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Under that law, an ounce or less brings just a 100-dollar fine – instead of six months in jail or a 500-dollar fine. But offenders don’t have to identify themselves, and there’s no penalty for unpaid fines. Police officials say that makes it hard to enforce – and leaves some towns simply turning a blind eye to pot use.