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June 20, 2006

Woonsocket nursing home petitions for receivership

PROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for a Woonsocket nursing home and the state Health Department met with a state Superior Court judge today to discuss whether the home should be placed in a state form of bankruptcy and whether it should be sold to a Maryland company.

Mount St. Francis Health Center today petitioned to be placed in receivership and asked the court to appoint American Senior Living Communities, of Maryland, to run the home, with the expectation that American Heritage would seek to buy the home after it is in receivership, according to Gregg Perry, a spokesman for Mount St. Francis.

A Health Department spokeswoman this afternoon said that the lawyers will continue to meet with Judge Michael A. Silverstein and that officials expect a smooth transition for the nursing home. The spokeswoman said residents of the nursing home should not be affected by the transition.

The home’s current owner, Antonio L. Giordano, will be in federal court tomorrow, where he is expected to plead guilty to misusing $780,539 from Mount St. Francis and two other homes he owned: Hillside Health Center, in Providence, which closed in 2004, and the former Coventry Health Center, which he no longer owns.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by at 6:09 PM | Comment

Carpio trial: Jury hears audio of hysterical defendant

PROVIDENCE -- The jury in the murder trial of Esteban Carpio today heard audio recordings of two police interviews with the suspect in the murder of a city detective at police headquarters.

One featured a sedated Carpio, being interviewed by Detective John Finegan at Rhode Island Hospital at about 3 a.m., a few hours after the fatal shooting of Detective Sgt. James L. Allen.

The second was an hour-long interview at police headquarters shortly after 10 the same morning.

In it, a hysterical Carpio was questioned by Finegan and Detective Sgt. Vincent Mansolillo, who could be heard alternating his questions with attempts to calm Carpio down.

Carpio at times sobbed and insisted he was "crazy" and that nobody loved him.

The defense will continue tomorrow, with the cross-examination of one of its witnesses today, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist.

Audio: Hear three short clips from the interview at police headquarters (in MP3 format, wait for download).

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Neuropsychologist Paul A. Spiers testified today that Esteban Carpio suffered from a major mental illness and "was probably in the throes of psychosis" when he shot and killed a city police detective last year.

Spiers took the stand today for the defense, which hopes to prove that Carpio is not guilty of the murder by reason of insanity.

Spiers said that in his opinion, as a result of the psychosis, Carpio lacked the capacity to conform his behavior to the requirements of the law.

Spiers based his conclusions on an interview with Carpio last November and on medical records from Carpio's visits to Faulkner Hospital, in Boston, and Rhode Island Hospital days before the April 16, 2005, shooting at Providence police headquarters.

He also listened to tapes of a police detective's interview with Carpio at Rhode Island Hospital after Carpio's arrest in the shooting. Those tapes were being played today in court.

The defense is expected to question its last witness today; the prosecution would then begin its rebuttal tomorrow.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:59 PM | Comment

Update: Major thunderstorm moving through Providence

Just after 5:30 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning through 6:15 for eastern Providence County and northwestern Bristol County in Massachusetts, including Attleboro and North Attleboro.

The weather service reported that at 5:31 p.m., a storm capable of producing nickel-size hail and wind gusts of 60 mph was near North Providence and moving east at 35 mph.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of New England through 8 tonight.

Get the latest weather and conditions...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:39 PM | Comment

Chafee breaks party line in vote on military contracts

Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee today was the lone Republican to vote in favor of a Democratic proposal for an investigation into waste and fraud in military contracts.

The proposal was made by Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota, and called for a panel modelled on the one that uncovered abuses in military spending during World War II, according to the Web site of The New York Times.

The 52-to-44 vote followed party lines almost exactly; no Democrat voted against the proposal.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 5:25 PM | Comment

Fidelity to open Florida call center

Fidelity Investments today announced plans to open a new customer call center in Jacksonville, Fla., that would ultimately employ 1,200 people.

The company said it hopes to have the facility operating by the end of this year to support customer service for its retail brokerage division, Fidelity Personal Investments.

Fidelity said the plans are contingent upon approval of local and state incentives. The company announced them at a joint press conference with Jacksonville officials, including Mayor John Peyton.

The Jacksonville announcement comes as the company prepares to relocate several hundred employees from Boston to downtown Providence and build a second building on its Smithfield campus to accommodate expansion there.

Posted by at 5:10 PM | Comment

95 Rhode Island Guard members return tomorrow from Iraq

The 95 men of the 861st Engineer Company are scheduled to land at the Northstar Aviation Facility, 544 Airport Rd., Warwick, tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., after 12 months of combat engineer operations in Iraq, the Rhode Island National Guard announced today.

The unit, which is based in East Greenwich, left Rhode Island in January 2005 for training and overseas certification at Camp Shelby, Miss. In Iraq, the compnay has worked in support of anti-insurgency operations throughout Iraq, the National Guard said.

The Rhode Island National Guard now has 175 members deployed in combat operations overseas.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 4:39 PM | Comment

Update: Accident snarls Routes 195, 95 downtown

The state DOT reported this afternoon that an accident on Route 195 near Point Street resulted in "heavy congestion" around the start of the evening commute.

DOT traffic cams showed heavy traffic westbound at the Route 95 split.

At 4:30, the DOT announced the accident had cleared, but the traffic was still jammed in and around downtown Providence.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 4:37 PM | Comment

Photo: Indie film crew shooting in Pawtucket

Journal photo / Sandor Bodo
Amber Tamblyn, star of the independent comedy Normal Adolescent Behavior, has her makeup freshened by Alyson Granaderes before the shooting of a scene today in Pawtucket. You may know Tamblyn from the CBS series Joan of Arcadia. The filming, which is on a tight 19-day schedule, began June 5, in Wickford. Co-producer Peter DeMann told The Journal this month that the film was about "high school seniors, dating, relationships, coming of age."

Posted by Mike McDermott at 3:56 PM | Comment

Playoff birdie wins CVS tourney for Price-Clark

BARRINGTON -- With a birdie on the second playoff hole, Tim Clark and Nick Price edged out hometown favorite Brad Faxon and Mike Weir to win the CVS Charity Classic today at the Rhode Island Country Club.

Both members of the winning team were born in Durban, South Africa. This was Clark's first CVS appearance; Price won the tournament with Mark Calcavecchia in 2001.

The top two teams finished today's second and final round tied at 19 under par. Both teams entered today one shot off the lead, which was held after the first round by Stewart Cink and Jeff Sluman.

Check out projo.com and tomorrow's Providence Journal for complete coverage of the CVS Charity Classic.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 3:37 PM | Comment

Johnson & Wales adds robotics degree

PROVIDENCE – Johnson & Wales University’s School of Technology announced today it will offer a new two-year associate degree program, “Robotic Engineering Technology,” in September 2006.

The robotics and automation degree program will include courses in math, science and engineering and has been designed to provide a solid background in this growing field, according to a statement released by the university.

Robotics programs are being developed around the country, from middle schools to universities, but Johnson & Wales is the only New England college to offer an undergraduate degree in robotics, according to the university’s statement. A recent study cited by Johnson & Wales reports that the market for industrial robotics is booming.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:15 PM | Comment

Senate to consider lowering property tax cap

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Senate is expected to discuss – and vote on -- legislation this afternoon that would lower the cap on local tax increases.

Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, is pushing to lower the cap on local tax increases, which is now 5.5 percent, but the issue has met resistance from several communities and the state's teachers unions.

In other Senate news, it is not yet clear when the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate will address the state budget, which the House of Representatives passed last night.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:00 PM | Comment

Update: Providence firefighters battling house fire

PROVIDENCE – The Fire Department is on scene fighting a house fire at the corner of Lowell Avenue and Nye Street, according to fire officials.

The fire in the 2 1/2-story structure was reported at 11:46 a.m. at the location, south of Hartford Avenue. Services for five adults have been requested from the Red Cross.

More information is not yet available.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:49 PM | Comment

Cuban aid group stops at Providence restaurant

PROVIDENCE – About 20 members of an interfaith group that’s traveling from Canada, through the United States and Mexico, and into Cuba made a noontime stop at the Cuban Revolution Restaurant, 149 Washington St. to spread their message.

There are no Rhode Islanders with the group, the Pastors for Peace Medical & Humanitarian Aid Caravan to Cuba, which is working to peacefully challenge the U.S. government’s policy to block trade, aid and other relations with Cuba.

Out in front of the restaurant, they’ve parked their big blue bus with the yellow-and-red painted message, “Cuba Blockade Busting,” on its side.

The group is on its 17th annual trip to Cuba with donations of medicine, medical equipment, educational material and technical equipment for needy communities in Cuba.

Trip coordinator Wally Sillanpoa said today that he’s concerned it will be more difficult for the group to get into Cuba this year than in past years because of changes President Bush has put in place.

-- With reports from Journal Staff Writer Tatiana Pina

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:16 PM | Comment

EMC expanding in India

EMC Corp. plans to more than double its investment in India to $500 million by 2010, expanding its research and sales capacity in the country, according to Bloomberg News.

The Hopkinton, Mass.-based technology company also plans to have 3,200 employees in India in the next two years, taking advantage of the country's high number of technology professionals.

Currently, EMC employs 800 in India and has invested about $100 million in the country, according to Bloomberg.

--- Providence Journal staff writer Andrea L. Stape

Posted by Peter Phipps at 11:27 AM | Comment

Hundreds mourn victims of Fall River fire

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Hundreds of mourners are attending funerals this morning for two of the four victims of last week's deadly fire at the Fall River Portuguese social club.

Mary Isabel Raposa, 70, of Westport and her aunt, 80-year-old Emiliana Carvalho of Fall River, will be laid to rest after the morning service at Espirito Santo Church.

Another victim, 63-year-old Geraldine Andrade of Fall River, was buried yesterday after a private ceremony. Burial arrangements for the fourth victim, Christina Costa, 31, of Fall River, are pending.

The four women were taking part in a religious ceremony at a County Street social club last Wednesday evening when a candle sparked the blaze. Twelve other people were injured, including two firefighters.

A vigil remembering the victims will be held tonight. Participants plan to march from the Bishop Eid Housing Complex in Fall River to the site of the fire on County Street.

-- Staff and Associated Press reports

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:19 AM | Comment

Fire damages 2 restaurants in Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT – Two restaurants caught fire in the Mariner's Square shopping center this morning, damaging the building in which both were housed.

The blaze did structural and smoke damage to Arturo Joe's and Poncho O'Malley's. The cause is under investigation.

The fire in the Point Judith Road complex was reported before 9 a.m. by a passer-by, and more than 50 firefighters from four communities responded. It was under control by 10 a.m.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Davis

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:19 AM | Comment

Dan Biechele reports to work-release job

Daniel M. Biechele went to his work release job in Woonsocket this morning for the first time. A driver for his employer, The Arc of Northern Rhode Island, picked him up at the minimum-security section at the Adult Correctional Institutions before 8:30 this morning, according to Kenneth Findlay, acting spokesman for the Department of Corrections.

Biechele will work as a bookkeeper at the nonprofit agency, which supports adults and children who have disabilities. The 29-year-old Biechele, of Florida, was sentenced last month to four years in prison after pleading guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for setting off the pyrotechnics that sparked the deadly Station nightclub fire.

Findlay said the employer has agreed to transport Biechele back and forth to Woonsocket so that he does not have to take public transportation. Background checks were done on the drivers as part of the investigation into Biechele's new job.

-- With reports by Journal staff writer Tracy Breton

Posted by Mike McDermott at 11:07 AM | Comment

Update: Midnight fire destroys boat in East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE – A 30-foot Hunter sailboat still in winter storage at the Narragansett Marina at the end of Riverside Drive was destroyed by fire early this morning, fire officials said.

The fire on the Bagatelle, owned by North Providence resident Joseph Keating, is under investigation, East Providence Fire Marshal Capt. Curtis Wise said this morning.

Firefighters were initially concerned that the fire could spread to a nearby structure, believed to be part of the marina, Fire Battalion Chief Robert Jobin said. But they were able to contain the fire to the boat, which was not in the water yet but still up on a wooden stand, Jobin said.

To prevent the boat from collapsing on its stand under the weight of the water used to fight the blaze, firefighters had to cut a hole in the bottom of the boat for drainage, Jobin said.

The fire was reported at 12:14 a.m. and officers cleared the scene at 3:46 a.m., East Providence Police Lt. John Wyrostek said. About 20 boats are moored at the marina, Wyrostek said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:45 AM | Comment

Can we tell you how to get to R.I.'s beaches?

Summer may officially begin tomorrow, but the start of a Rhode Island summer tradition waits until Friday. That’s the first day the Beach Bus operated for the past two decades or so by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority begins its summer service.

The Beach Bus/South County Express will run daily, including holidays, through Aug. 7. Departing from six locations in northern Rhode Island, the bus carries beach-goers to Salty Brine State Beach in Galilee, Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett and Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett.

Round trip tickets – which cost $3.50 – must be purchased in advance. The bus picks up in Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

For information on schedules and ticket sale locations, see the Coast 93.3 South County Express Beach Bus link on RIPTA’s website.

But with summer starting tomorrow, if you need a Rhode Island way to welcome the next season before the Beach Bus starts running, it’s not too early to find a Del’s Lemonade truck somewhere.

Also, be sure to check out projo.com’s interactive map of Southern New England beaches, which includes information on lifeguards, concession stands, fees and more.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:02 AM | Comment

Hot and humid today, thunderstorms on horizon

PROVIDENCE – It’s hazy and warm already and expected to heat up even more, to a high of around 81 degrees today. The haze should stick around until noon.

This afternoon, strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across much of southern New England, according to the National Weather Service. When today’s summer heat and humidity combine with an approaching cold front this afternoon, the strongest storms could produce damaging winds and large hail.

With some thunderstorms producing torrential downpours, with one to two inches of rain per hour, some urban areas and places with poor drainage could see minor flooding.

In addition, a small craft advisory remains in effect in Rhode Island Sound through this afternoon. Southwest winds are expected to be 10 to 15 knots, and seas could be 4 to 6 feet high.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment