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June 1, 2006

State trooper convicted of felony assault

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A Washington County jury has convicted state trooper Jeffrey Clark, 34, of assaulting a young man who was handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser.

The jury announced its verdict this afternoon after about two hours of deliberations.

Clark was convicted of felony assault, simple assault, and filing a false report. He faces more than 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors said that in 2004, Clark, while off duty, repeatedly punched a young man who was in police custody, causing injuries that required eight staples.

He has been suspended without pay since the incident.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:02 PM | Comment

Update: Senate passes casino bill, 23-13

Journal photo / Connie Grosch
Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, left, talks with David Satz, Harrah's Entertainment vice president/general counsel, right, minutes before the Senate convened this afternoon.

PROVIDENCE -- Barring some unforeseen court challenge, voters in November will be asked to amend Rhode Island’s constitution to allow a Harrah's-Narragansett Indian casino in West Warwick.

After about an hour and a half of discussion, the Senate passed a resolution 23-13 early this evening placing the question on the Nov. 7 ballot.

The House passed the same measure last week. As a joint resolution, it does not have to cross the desk of Governor Carcieri, who is opposed to a casino.

It required the approval of a majority of the full 38-member Senate to pass.

Come back to projo.com later tonight for more, and find full coverage tomorrow morning on projo.com and in The Journal.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:09 PM | Comment

Providence and Worcester talking with national rail operator

Providence and Worcester Railroad Co., a regional freight railroad serving Rhode Island, said today it is ``exploring possible business opportunities'' with RailAmerica Inc., a national rail operator based in Florida.

Representatives of both companies declined to elaborate on what ``possible business opportunities'' might mean, but RailAmerica has acquired more than 60 railroads since its formation in 1986.

RailAmerica owns 42 regional and short line railroads in the United States and Canada. In New England, the Boca Raton-based company owns Connecticut Southern Railroad of East Hartford and New England Central Railroad of St. Albans, Vt.

Providence and Worcester Railroad announced its discussions with RailAmerica in a midday statement that said the two companies had signed a confidentiality agreement with respect to exploring ``business opportunities.''

``The Company stressed there is no agreement between the parties relating to any such business opportunities,'' the Providence and Worcester Railroad statement said. General counsel Mary A. Tanona declined further comment on the statement.

Susan Wright Greenfield, a spokeswoman for RailAmerica, said, ``On a regular basis, we do talk to a number of parties on joint marketing and business development opportunities.''

Shares of Providence and Worcester Railroad shot up in trading on the American Stock Exchange after the announcement, closing up 6.1 percent at $18 a share. RailAmerica's stock rose 10 cents today, closing at $11.35 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Posted by at 5:11 PM | Comment

Update: Accident on Rt. 95 in Conn. kills one

NORTH STONINGTON, Conn. -- Authorities have re-opened all lanes of travel along Interstate 95 South after clearing an afternoon accident that killed one person and blocked southbound traffic for an hour and a half.

A Connecticut State Police spokesman Trooper William Tate said the one-car accident in North Stonington led to the closure between exits 93 and 92 at about 2:15 p.m.

Tate said one person was killed, though he couldn't provide any further details this afternoon.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:02 PM | Comment

YMCA laptop with 65,000 members' information stolen

PROVIDENCE -- YMCA officials announced today that a laptop computer was stolen last week containing personal information for more than 65,000 members in Rhode Island.

The members belong to the YMCA of Greater Providence and branches in Woonsocket, Smithfield and Pawtucket.

The information includes names and addresses and, for some members, credit card numbers, checking account numbers, bank routing numbers, and, "for a very small minority," Social Security numbers, the Y said.

The personal information on the computers is "not readily available," according to a statement released this afternoon by the YMCA, which noted there are "several measures of security built into the system." The Y added that it may not be apparent to thieves that the information is contained on the computer.

The Greater Providence YMCA notified authorities last week when the company discovered two laptop computers were missing.

There are no indications to date that the personal information on the computer has been compromised, according to the announcement.

"All affected individuals are being notified about this issue, and we will work with them to address any concerns or questions they may have," said Susan Rittscher, president and CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA, in a statement.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:02 PM | Comment

Jury selection for Carpio trial to start Tuesday

PROVIDENCE -- Jury selection will begin next week in the trial for Esteban Carpio, the man accused of killing a Providence police detective inside police headquarters last April.

The Superior Court released a statement today announcing that the first day of jury selection will be Tuesday.

A pool of 125 potential jurors has been summoned for the case. Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause plans to select 16 jurors for the trial, which is expected to take three to four weeks.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:27 PM | Comment

Update: Providence man stabbed while heading home

PROVIDENCE – A man stabbed after midnight near 79 Washington St. was heading home to an apartment in that building, which houses the nightclub Diesel and Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, according to a Providence police report about the incident.

Andrew Hotes, 22, has been treated and released from Rhode Island Hospital, a spokeswoman said today.

Hotes told the police he had left Finnegan’s Wake, a downtown bar, and was walking in the alley behind Blake’s Tavern when a man he didn’t know approached him, asking for money.

When Hotes told the man he had no money and kept walking, the suspect held him by the arm and stabbed him, Hotes told the police.

He said the man then fled on foot, toward Snow Street, and Hotes walked to his apartment, where he then contacted the police.

According to the incident report, Hotes told officers that he would go to the central station on his own if he wanted to make any further statements.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:00 PM | Comment

Grease buildup blamed for fire at Providence eatery

PROVIDENCE -- Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael J. Dillon said today that a grease buildup in kitchen ductwork was responsible for a fire that ruined Downcity Food and Cocktails last week.

A chef was cooking meat when the heat from the stove ignited the grease, he said.

A fire inspector in December had warned the restaurant that the stove hood and exhaust duct system was too greasy.

-- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:51 PM | Comment

S.E. Mass. soldier sues filmmaker Michael Moore

A veteran from southeastern Massachusetts who lost both arms in the war in Iraq is suing filmmaker Michael Moore for $85 million, alleging that Moore used snippets of a television interview without his permission to falsely portray him as anti-war in Fahrenheit 9/11.

Sgt. Peter Damon, a National Guardsman from Middleborough, is asking for damages because of "loss of reputation, emotional distress, embarrassment, and personal humiliation," according to the lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court last week.

Damon, 33, claims that Moore never asked for his consent to use a clip from an interview Damon did with NBC's "Nightly News."

He claims in his lawsuit that the way Moore used the film clip in Fahrenheit 9/11 - Moore's scathing 2004 documentary criticizing the Bush administration and the war in Iraq - makes him appear to "voice a complaint about the war effort" when he was actually complaining about "the excruciating type of pain" that comes with the injury he suffered.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:25 PM | Comment

New Urbanists descend on Providence / Photo

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
A conference group today tours the Riverfront Lofts in Pawtucket, an old mill building converted into condominiums and artists' studios.

PROVIDENCE – Some 1,500 architects, urban planners and government officials have descended upon the capital for a four-day conference dedicated to a town-planning movement known as the New Urbanism.

The Chicago-based nonprofit Congress for the New Urbanism is holding its 14th annual conference here to celebrate and spread the New Urbanist cause.

The local work of developer and New Urbanism advocate Arnold “Buff” Chace Jr. helped bring the conference to Providence. His longtime friendship with CNU cofounder Andres Duany played a role, too.

Today, the first day of the conference, the New Urbanists have fanned out for walking tours of Providence’s old retail district, now known as Downcity, the Blackstone Valley, the historic port city of Newport and Boston’s Fenway Park and the Big Dig, the largest and most expensive urban construction project in American history.

-- With reports from Journal Arts Writer Bill Van Siclen

In urban laboratory sessions, New Urbanists will examine design and development challenges on Cranston Street near the Armory, along North Main Street and in Cathedral Square. After a site visit, the labs will conclude with a design session.

Read the commentary in today's Journal by David Brussat, a member of The Journal's editorial board.

-- With reports from Journal Arts Writer Bill Van Siclen

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:23 PM | Comment

Providence roots-music series teams up for webcasts

"Your Roots Are Showing" -- Providence's monthly music series showcasing artists performing roots rock, country, twang, Americana, alternative country and other styles of "No Depression"-influenced music -- announced today that it has teamed up with the Providence-based Internet radio station DownCity Signal to webcast live
recordings of the concerts.

The premiere DownCity Signal webcast of "Your Roots Are Showing," from the May 13, 2006 show at AS220, features artists Tennessee Hollow, John 'Crawlin' Snake' Mac y Los Fashionistas, Van Bronson and hosts Lucky 57. It can be accessed at http://www.downcitysignal.com/listen.cgi?roots

The next edition of "Your Roots Are Showing" will take place at AS220, 115 Empire St.,
Providence, on Saturday, June 10, starting at 9 p.m. It will feature The Beau Roland Band, The Dirty Truckers, rock 'n' roller Mark Cutler performing hootenanny style, and hosts Lucky 57. DownCity Signal will for the second time record the showcase for Internet streaming.

Posted by at 1:44 PM | Comment

State police tally holiday-weekend driving arrests

The State Police today announced the results of stepped-up police enforcement during the Memorial Day Weekend in an effort to ensure that drivers buckle up and appropriately use child car seats and other restraints.

The state police arrested eight people for driving while intoxicated; investigated 104 motor-vehicle crashes, none of which were alcohol related; issued 872 speeding citations; and issued 172 seat-belt violations and 11 child-restraint violations, according to a statement released by Maj. Steven G. O’Donnell.

The state police did not investigate any fatal crashes, although Providence Police handled one fatal accident, O’Donnell reported. In that accident, three men died when the car they were traveling in crashed into a building, Ferguson Perforating and Wire Co., located at 130 Ernest St. The driver is charged with three felony counts of driving to endanger, death resulting.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:17 PM | Comment

RI Monthly block party postponed

Due to expected rain, Rhode Island Monthly’s “Welcome to Summer” Block Party, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has been moved to the rain date of Thursday, June 8, the magazine announced today.

The free celebration, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bank of America City Center in downtown Providence (formerly the Fleet Skating Center), will still include all its original ingredients, including live music, hot food and cold drinks.

For more details the party, call (401) 277-8291.

Posted by at 12:33 PM | Comment

Central Falls police investigating a homicide

CENTRAL FALLS – The police are investigating the early-morning death of a 46-year-old man, Chief Joseph P. Moran III said.

Police responded to the report of a stabbing at 435 Pine St. in Central Falls at 12:30 a.m. today, Moran said.

The man, whom Moran said is “known to the police department,” was taken to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital by Central Falls rescue, and he was pronounced dead at 1:38 a.m.

Moran said he’s withholding the man’s name pending notification of his family.
The Rhode Island State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Central Falls police, Moran said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:06 AM | Comment

Update: AG names contractors nabbed in morning sweep

PROVIDENCE – In a sweep that targeted at least 20 contractors, the state police and the Attorney General’s Office arrested six individuals this morning on misdemeanor charges of not complying with orders from the state Contractors Registration Board, according to Michael J. Healey, spokesman for the AG’s office.

Five of the contractors are expected to be arraigned in Sixth District Court, Providence, this morning, Healey said. One will be arraigned in district court in Warwick.

The contractors arrested today have been ordered by the Contractors Registration Board to pay restitution to homeowners – ranging from $350 to more than $20,000 – and have failed to comply with those orders, Healey said.

According to Healey, the following men face the following charges:

Angel DeJesus, 53, of 130 Cleveland St. in Providence, owes $350 in restitution to a homeowner;

Reginald Felder, 37, of 26 B Somerset St. in Providence, owes $4,000 in restitution to a homeowner and a $3,500 fine to the CRB ;

Joseph Gonsalves with JMG Construction, 48, of 2020 Elmwood Ave in Warwick, faces four counts totaling $21,500, all of them fines to the CRB, in the amounts of $4,500, $1,500, $11,000 and $4,500;

Arthur Johnson, 45, of 237 Harris Rd. in Smithfield., owes a $500 fine to the CRB;

Kevin McGovern, 49, of 159 Wood St. in Warwick, is the one who will be arraigned in 3rd District Court in Warwick. He owes $17,000 in restitution to a homeowner and a $4,500 fine to the CRB; and

Rene Valcourt, 52, of 120 Turner Ave. in Cranston, owes $5,000 in restitution to a homeowner and a $4,000 fine to the CRB.

Healey said that the fines due to the CRB are so that the CRB can “make the harmed homeowners whole.”

The Contractors Registration Board resolves disputes between homeowners and contractors, Healey said. The attorney general’s office provides legal advice to the board, and in that role has worked with the state police in this matter, Healey said.

Because the charges facing the targeted contractors are misdemeanors, the police could not go outside of the state to arrest people, Healey said. Thus, not all of the 20 targeted contractors could be arrested this morning, he said.

“The attorney general believes this is a quality-of-life issue,” Healey said. “And the law says that this is a misdemeanor, but try telling that to a homeowner who’s out $20,000 for a job that didn’t get done or maybe one single thing of the job got done.”

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:43 AM | Comment

Warwick Teachers Union elects new president

WARWICK – The Warwick Teachers Union has elected a new president in a race that pitted a former vice president of the union against Mary Pendergast, who held the leadership role for 15 years.

Challenger Samuel Holtzman said this morning that he won with 581 votes against Pendergast’s 304.

Read today's Journal story.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:36 AM | Comment

Cirque du Soleil to return to Boston

Cirque du Soleil returns to Boston after a two-year absence to present Corteo, its latest touring show. Corteo will open on Friday, Sept. 8 and run through Oct. 8 at Suffolk Downs.

Prices range from $45 to $80 for adults, and from $31.50 to $56 for children (2 to 12 years, inclusive). For students 13 and over and seniors (65 and over), prices range from $40.50 to $72, on weekdays only (Tuesdays to Thursdays, and Fridays at 4 p.m.)

Cirque Club members can purchase exclusive prime seats immediately by connecting free of charge to cirquedusoleil.com. New club membership is free and available immediately at cirquedusoleil.com. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Sunday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. and may be purchased by calling Admission Network at 1 800 678-5440 or online at cirquedusoleil.com.

Posted by at 9:21 AM | Comment

Chafee to tour proposed wind farm site

U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee plans this morning to visit the site of the proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound that would build 130 wind turbines to produce up to 420 megawatts of renewable energy, according to the senator’s office.

Chafee is expected to travel from Patriot Party Boats in Falmouth on Cape Cod to an avian research barge and meteorological tower on Horseshoe Shoal.

Chafee will travel with representatives of Cape Wind, the project being developed by Energy Management Inc., a Massachusetts-based energy company.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:01 AM | Comment

Textron sells its fasteners business for $630 million

Textron today announced that it had reached an agreement to sell its Troy, Mich. fasteners division for $630 million.

The division, with nearly 9,000 employees and customers in about 150 companies, accounted for $1.8 billion of revenues for Textron -- roughly 18 percent of Textron's total.

The buyer is Platinum Equity, a California-based company that specializes in mergers and aquisitions. Founded in 1995, Platinum reports that it has acquired more than 60 companies with $13 billion in aggregate annual revenues.

"Everyone will benefit from our smooth transition process and our long-term plans to build this business,'' said Tom Gores, chairman and CEO of Platinum.

Textron Fastening Systems makes a range of fasteners for the aerospace, automotive, construction and other industries.

The two companies expect the deal to close during the third quarter.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:55 AM | Comment

High of 82, potential flooding in Mass. and N.H.

PROVIDENCE – Expect partly cloudy skies again today a high near 82 and the chance of thunderstorms this afternoon.

Although Rhode Island isn’t expected to be hit hard, the National Weather Service is predicting that thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will produce brief torrential rainfall, most likely in northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Those areas experienced widespread flooding last month.

This time, no widespread flooding is expected, but the areas that receive the heaviest rainfall will face an increased threat of flash flooding in the late afternoon and tonight.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

P.S. For all you allergy sufferers out there, the pollen count will be high today. It should drop off significantly tomorrow and then increase gradually through Sunday.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:06 AM | Comment