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September 7, 2007

An Allman plays Newport tonight ... but not that one

There's an Allman playing at the Newport Blues Cafe tonight.

Only this isn't the Allman synonymous in past decades with the words blues jam.

It's Devon Allman, son of the Allman Brothers' Gregg Allman. The band, Devon Allman's Honeytribe, plays the cafe, 286 Thames St., at 9 p.m. Call (401) 841-5510. The cost is $10.

For more of what's happening this weekend on the music scene, check projo.com's music page. For events of all kinds, see our calendar listings.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:09 PM | Comment

Sending love from Azores prison, by Webcam / Photo

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
Lucy Frank, on the monitor with her cousin, talks to her mother and daughter from an Azores prison today.

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- The 16-year-old twirled to show off her cute figure and got a kick out of her mother’s eyebrow piercing. They also repeated, “I love you,” and blew kisses in each other’s direction.

It was a common family moment in a not-so-common setting.

Cameras flashed with each gesture today while reporters scribbled down their intimate dialogue. And Tonya Desrosiers, of Fall River, had to talk to a computer screen set up in a prison in order to see her mother in person for the very first time.

Previously, she had only viewed pictures and shared letters with Lucy Frank.

Frank’s shoplifting and other small crimes in Massachusetts left her in and out of jail for most of Desrosiers’ early childhood, her family explained. The 47-year-old mother was finally deported to the Azores -- a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean -- about nine years ago.

She is one of about 75 former Bristol County residents who have been sent to the Azores by immigration officials in the last three years.

“[Seeing her] is good, but it just makes me miss her more,” the high school student said. “I didn’t think it would be like this. I thought I would be able to talk to my mom…. But I am grateful.”

The Webcam communication was coordinated by the Azorean minister of interior, Portugal’s director of prisons and Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, who visited the country last month. The two foreign officials asked Hodgson to help pilot the video visitation program, which is a first for their country.

Bristol County was chosen because the area has more Azorean residents than the nine islands’ populations combined, said staff from the Bristol County House of Corrections.

“This helps dissipate the anger and anti-American sentiment children have when they’ve lost their parents [because of deportation],” said Hodgson while also stating it may minimize the separation anxiety.

The inmates who will participate in the pilot program, which plans to have families’ video visiting monthly, were deported and then committed crimes in the Azores. Frank is in a jail in Ponta Delgada, the islands’ capital city, for murder. She killed an abusive ex-boyfriend shortly after Christmas last year, the family said.

“This girl had to defend herself and she just snapped,” said Frances Rogers, Frank’s sister, who agreed to let the media watch because she thinks her sister’s story may help others. “She’s not proud of what she did, but her heart could only take so much.”

-- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:30 PM | Comment

Rocky Point movie premiere sold out -- but wait

Those who want to catch You Must Be This Tall, the movie about the late, lamented Rocky Point amusement park, should know -- tickets are sold out for tonight's 7 o'clock premiere at Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.

But tickets are available for several showings elsewhere this month.

The movie will be at the Jane Pickens Theatre, 49 Touro St., Newport, on Sept. 13. There will be an acoustic swing and Latin jazz set performed about an hour before the 7 p.m. showing. Call(401) 846-5252.

At the Narragansett Theatre, on Sept. 29 there will be 1 and 4 p.m. showings. On Sept. 30, there will be 1, 4 and 7 p.m. showings. The theater is at 3 Beach St., Narragansett. Call (401) 782-2077.

The You Must Be This Tall Web site says to check back for additional screening dates and locations. The movie is also coming to DVD next year.

For more about the movie's filming, a review, and a chance to share your Rocky Point memories, visit the Hot Topic area on projo.com's Warwick page.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:21 PM | Comment

Teachers finalize new Foster-Glocester pact

A two-year collective bargaining agreement between the Foster-Glocester Regional School District and the union representing Ponaganset Middle School and High School teachers was finalized this afternoon upon approval by a majority of the union’s 124 members.

The district and the union reached a tentative agreement Labor Day after nearly two weeks of mediated sessions leading up to the opening of school on Aug. 30. The Regional School Committee unanimously approved it on Tuesday.

Regional School Committee Co-Chair Kelly Hunter said the contract allowed both sides to accomplish their primary objectives while keeping in line with what voters approved for the district in 2008.

“We got a lot accomplished,” said Hunter. “One of our goals going into negotiations was improved relations between the school committee and the teachers union, and I think this contract shows that.”

Because the two sides assumed no state aid in 2009 and a 12 percent increase in the district's health-care costs, the contract does not “blow out” the 2008-2009 budget either, said Hunter.

Teachers sought and received raises in both years of the contract, which expires June 30, 2009, and is retroactive to July 1, 2007.

-- Journal staff writer Philip Marcelo

Entry-level teachers (step one) will receive a 2-percent salary increase, teachers at step two through nine will get a 1-percent raise, and those at the top step of the pay scale (step ten) will get a 3.6 percent raise in 2008. There are about 65 top step teachers in the district.

In 2009, teachers from step one through nine will get a 2.5 percent raise and tenth-step teachers will get a 3.5 percent raise (entry level teacher salaries started at $33,648 and top level salaries at $63,876 in the 2006-2007 school year).

The district fought for language that would lower health-care expenses on a number of fronts, though Regional School Committee Co-Chair Ronald Cervasio doubted how much an impact any of it would have.

“Our teachers pay the third least amount to their health-care in the state,” said Cervasio. “We didn’t move up much on that.”

Teachers agreed to contribute a percentage of their salaries to health care, a departure from the flat rate (between $150 and $750) they paid towards health-care under the previous contract, which expired on June 30, 2007.

“It’s a more equitable formula because it’s based on earnings,” said John Leidecker, an assistant executive director at the National Education Association of Rhode Island, the statewide teachers union. “The district gets more money for health care but those teachers on the lower steps pay less than before.”

Early on in mediation, the two sides agreed not to pursue the traditional three-year deal. For a brief time, they even considered a one-year contract.

“We couldn’t take the long range view we had taken in the past because things have become so unpredictable at the state level. We can’t even depend on state aid” for schools, Hunter said.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:04 PM | Comment

Crew accidentally strikes Cumberland gas line

CUMBERLAND -- A construction crew accidentally struck a gas line while digging near a warehouse in the Diamond Hill Industrial Park this afternoon.

Workers in the 100,000-square-foot complex at 35 Industrial Drive, which included the Academy for Little Children, a daycare center, were evacuated while a National Grid crew made repairs. Police closed part of Industrial Drive for about half an hour.

The warehouse, formerly owned by textile manufacturer Hope Global, is currently owned by Right Concepts.

-- Journal staff writer Philip Marcelo

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:13 PM | Comment

A day in the park tomorrow for Providence seniors

PROVIDENCE -- Sax serenade in the park.

That's just one of the offerings tomorrow at the fifth annual seniors' day in Roger Williams Park.

It'll be Councilman Cliff Wood on the sax, plus coffee and doughnuts, barbecue lunch, a free raffle, giveaways and more live entertainment, Mayor David N. Cicilline's office said today.

The event runs 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

There will be free roundtrip transportation from all of the city’s senior centers and high rises. For more information, called Senior Services at (401) 421-7740 or go to www.providenceri.com.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:11 PM | Comment

Governor's Sept. 11 remembrance is announced

Governor Carcieri will mark Sept. 11 with a remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center.

Family members of local victims have been invited to take part in the remembrance, which will be held at the State House at 10:30 a.m. in the bell area. The ceremony will be indoors in the area that is directly opposite the building's Smith Street entrance.

Reverend Doctor Donald C. Anderson of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, Rabbi Sarah Mack of Temple Beth-El, and Lisa Starr, Rhode Island Poet Laureate will participate.

There will be music selections sung by Rene de la Garza, Gohar Manjelikian, and Cheryl Albright. Daniel Harp of the Brown University music department will perform on cello.

Rhode Island National Guard Color Guard members and the Warwick Fire Department will participate.

Blossom Florist of East Greenwich has donated wreath for the remembrance.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:31 PM | Comment

Update: Pedestrian fatally hit by truck was 89

CRANSTON -- The pedestrian struck and killed by a dump truck this morning has been identified as an 89-year-old Cranston man.

His name has not been disclosed.

The accident at the intersection of Atwood Avenue and Randall Street happened about 10:38 a.m. There is a stoplight at the intersection in question, but the police are investigating whether the driver ran a red light or not.

The victim, whose identity is being withheld until notification of next of kin, was crossing Atwood Avenue from east to west when he was struck by a truck traveling south. The accident occurred “in the vicinity of the crosswalk” at the intersection, according to the police.

-- Journal staff writer David Scharfenberg

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:21 PM | Comment

Portsmouth officer charged with speeding in accident

PORTSMOUTH -- The off-duty police officer whose car struck and critically injured a 15-year-old high school freshman on East Main Road last May has been charged with speeding, a civil violation, and failing to display a valid motor vehicle inspection sticker.

A state police accident reconstruction team has determined that the off-duty officer, Mark J. Mooney, 36, of Tiverton, was traveling at about 38 miles an hour in a 25 mile-per-hour zone when his car struck Samantha Kavanagh, according to State Police Capt. James Swanberg.

Kavanagh, who suffered multiple fractures and head and internal injuries, spent about two months at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and has been transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston.

Kavanagh was following a friend who had already run across East Main Road at the bottom of Quaker Hill, in the same mile-long stretch of highway where there have been two car-pedestrian fatalities in the last two years.

“It’s a tragic accident,” Swanberg said, but there was no evidence of reckless driving any other indication that would warrant a criminal charge against the driver. The inspection sticker on Mooney’s black Volkswagen Jetta had expired, Swanberg said.

Swanberg confirmed that Mooney, on his way to work at the Portsmouth police station, told investigators he was trying to avoid the first girl who ran across the road.

But Swanberg declined to release any other information about statements the driver or witnesses made.

-- Journal staff writer Gina Macris

At the time of the crash, both Swanberg and Portsmouth police chief Lance Hebert said that it appeared Mooney did not exceed the normal flow of traffic, which is 35 to 40 miles an hour, 10 to 15 miles over the posted limit.

The state Department of Transportation has approved a plan to construct three roundabouts to calm traffic on Quaker Hill, but it will be next spring at the earliest before it can pursue federal highway funds for actual construction.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:11 PM | Comment

Bank robber strikes in Swansea, pedaling a bike

SWANSEA, Mass. -- A man riding a bicycle pedaled away from Slade’s Bank on Route 6 near Route 136 Thursday afternoon carrying an undetermined amount of cash.

He had handed a teller a note demanding money.

Deputy Police Chief Robert Furtado today described the robber as a white man in his late 40s or early 50s, wearing a white baseball cap, a white T-shirt, and blue sweatpants. He also wore dark brown wraparound sunglasses. During the robbery, the suspect mentioned to the teller that he was tired because he had ridden his bike to the bank, Furtado said.

After the robber left, he mounted a blue bicycle and headed south through an adjacent Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot toward Route 136, the deputy chief said.

-- Journal staff writer Gina Macris

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:28 PM | Comment

Police seek help in search for missing woman

The police are searching for a woman missing from Lincoln who was last seen entering a car at Butler Hospital on Sept. 5.

Katie Corcoran, 35, was seen entering the cab at 11:30 a.m. that day, the police said in a news release today. Police ask that anyone who may have been in that area at that time or who has seen her to contact the police.

Corcoran is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, about 120 pounds, brown hair and eyes, wearing a long blue dress, flip-flop sandals and cream or white colored sweater. She was carrying two white shopping bags.

The police said her destination had been the Cross Roads Center located at 160 Broad St., Providence. She arrived there "but it is believed that she never entered the building and has not been seen since," the police said.

People may call Lincoln Police at 333-1111 or the State Police at 444-1000 or the Providence Police at 272-3121.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:17 PM | Comment

Corrections to air proposed changes to media access

CRANSTON -- The state Department of Corrections is holding a hearing Monday evening on proposed updates to its regulations governing media access to its facilities and inmates.

The current regulations have been in place since the 1980s, according to Corrections spokeswoman Tracey Poole, and, she said, the updates will formalize practices that have been used for years.

The Rhode Island affiliate of the ACLU has submitted testimony in advance of the hearing expressing concern about the proposed update.

Among the changes are a deletion of a provision that states any notes or recordings “shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of this Department,” and new requirements on how interviews are granted and conducted.

The ACLU’s testimony says the new regulations “allow for a regime of censorship over the news and media in their efforts to interview inmates and inform the public.”

Poole, in an e-mail, said the department appreciates the ACLU’s feedback.

“When we work on these policies, sometimes we are too close to them,” she said, calling the suggestions “valid and helpful.”

The hearing, scheduled Monday at 6:15 at 111 Howard Ave. in Cranston, is open to the public.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Yesterday, the local ACLU affiliate released a report citing several examples of government not responding to media requests. Union says that five incidents this summer highlight the blatant disregard some public officials have for the state’s Access to Public Records Act.

The ACLU called for strengthening of open-records law that protects the public’s right to know.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:16 PM | Comment

Photo: Helping hands for fire victims in Greece

Journal photo / Bob Thayer
Dean Christela, left, of Cranston, and Irena Apostou, right, of Warwick prepare vegetables for the annual fall festival this weekend at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston. Proceeds from the festival will help the victims of recent wildfires in Greece, says Father Andrew George, pastor of the church. The festival runs tomorrow and Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. Greek churches throughout Rhode Island are contributing to the effort.

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:45 PM | Comment

Grants will help local departments prepare for disasters

Two fire departments in Rhode Island are getting a slice of the hundreds of millions of dollars in grants distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with emergency preparedness in case of natural or man-made disasters.

The federal government awarded Exeter Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 $63,000 and the Johnston Fire department $79,000 in Assistance to Firefighter Grants.

The AFG program “provides the much needed resources and assistance our community fire departments need to ensure they are prepared to respond to any and all emergencies,” U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade said in a press release.

The grant distribution process begins in conjunction with the beginning of National Preparedness Month,, and will continue until more than $490 million is awarded to local fire departments and emergency medical services across the country.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:16 PM | Comment

R.I. high court to hear Family Court cutoff case

PROVIDENCE -- The state Supreme Court will hear a state Department of Children, Youth and Families' appeal arguing that 18-to-21-year-olds should not fall under Family Court jurisdiction.

The high court denied DCYF's motion to halt the ruling allowing the Family Court to continue overseeing about 600 cases of 18-to-21-year-olds, according to the high court order made public today.

The court did approve petitions of the American Civil Liberties Union and Tides Family Services, Inc., to participate in the case as friends of the court.

Before the high court is a test case for a "significant number of similarly placed young adults," the news release says.

It stems from Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr. rejection of DCYF's attempt to end Family Court involvement with Kenneth K., a 20-year-old resident of a state group home.

Jeremiah said that a provision approved in this year's state budget, which reduced the cutoff to age 18, can't be retroactively applied to Kenneth, who was under the court's jurisdiction before the change took effect July 1.

For decades, children in state custody have remained under Family Court jurisdiction until they turn 21. But in passing this year’s state budget, the General Assembly followed Governor Carcieri’s recommendation and lowered the cutoff to age 18.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:08 PM | Comment

Update: 2 of 4 ATM scanner scammers sentenced

PROVIDENCE – Two of the four men arrested for using fake ATM card scanners to steal shoppers’ card information were sentenced in U.S. District Court today.

Arman Ter-Esayan will serve six years in federal prison -- a four-year sentence for conspiracy to traffic in unauthorized access devices, plus the minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft -- and three years probation.

Gevork Baltadjian was sentenced to three years and one month for the first charge and two years for the second. He was also given a three-year probation sentence.

A previous story incorrectly reported amount of time Ter-Esayan and Baltadjian would spend in prison.

Both men have to pay about $132,000 in restitution.

The judge will also recommend both men spend their term in a federal prison in southern California, the state where they were living before they flew to Rhode Island.

After his prison sentence, Ter-Esayan, an Armenian national, will be turned over to immigration officials for deportation.

Baltadjian’s lawyer, however, was able to prove that his client – also an Armenian native – was a U.S. citizen.

Also convicted were Arutyun Shatarevyan and Mikael Stepanian. Shartarevyn is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and Stepanian is scheduled for Nov. 2 sentencing at 2 p.m.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

The men allegedly stole the information by switching out checkout lane keypads with one of their own machines and then retrieving the units a few days later so they could copy the account data. They recorded the stolen information on blank bank cards that they used to get money from ATMs in the area, the police said.

In all, they allegedly stole $115,000 from 1,100 accounts at a Coventry Stop & Shop.

The suspects also targeted Stop & Shop supermarkets in Cranston, Bristol, Providence, Warwick and Seekonk, Stop & Shop said.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:59 PM | Comment

Update: Back to school in E. Greenwich / Photo

Journal photo / John Freidah
Seventh-grader Mikayla Baiocchi, 12, buckles down to business on her first day at Archie R. Cole Middle School, in East Greenwich, while Principal Michael Zajac consults with resource teacher JoAnne Leach.

School is in session across the state today as the East Greenwich teachers report for work after a three-day strike.

A Superior Court Judge declared the strike illegal and ordered the teachers back to work yesterday after a three-hour hearing.

The district and the teachers have not been able to agree on terms of a contract with major negotiation sticking points being salary and health care contributions.

Wednesday night, teachers met with representatives of the school district until about 1 a.m., but were not able to make significant progress.

Mediation sessions are scheduled for next Friday and one day next weekend.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:53 PM | Comment

Coming to Bristol: owls, hawks, eagles and more

BRISTOL -- The fifth annual raptor weekend will be held tomorrow and Sunday at the Audubon Society's Environmental Education Center.

Owls, hawks, eagles, falcons and other birds of prey will be there.

The center is at 1401 Hope St. and the event runs each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children age 4 to 12.

For information, call (401) 245-7500.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:29 PM | Comment

Attleboro sect leader appealing murder conviction

BOSTON, Mass. -- After Jacques Robidoux was charged with murder in the starvation death of his infant son, he refused to be examined by a psychotherapist, citing his belief that modern medicine was one of Satan’s “counterfeit systems.”

Robidoux, who was a leader of an Attleboro religious sect that rejected modern medicine, said he believed he was fulfilling God’s prophesy and expected a miracle as he watched his 11-month-old infant son starve to death.

Now, Robidoux is appealing his murder conviction, claiming he was mentally ill and his former lawyer should have used an insanity defense. The state Supreme Judicial Court is scheduled to hear Robidoux’s appeal today.

Robidoux is asking the high court to grant him a new trial or reduce his conviction from first-degree murder to assault and battery or manslaughter.

Robidoux, 34, was one of the leaders of the small sect. The group started as a Bible study group of two large extended families based in southeastern Massachusetts, but it developed into a sect with strict controls on its followers. Members of the sect rejected modern institutions, including the medical establishment, public education, the legal system.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:05 PM | Comment

Smoke-shop raid trial delayed, again

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge has indefinitely postponed proceedings in the smoke-shop raid trial.

The state Supreme Court yesterday agreed to hear Governor Carcieri’s appeal of a lower court ruling that he must testify at the trial of seven Narragansett Indians facing criminal charges stemming from a state police raid on a tribal shop.

Today Judge Susan E. McGuirl held a pre-trial status conference. The court again urged both parties toward mediation.

Last night, Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a statement that as far as mediation on the issue of Carcieri’s appearance, “We will assist in this endeavor however we can.”

But, he said his office had made offers that the defendants had refused.

William P. Devereaux, lawyer for six of the tribal members, said his clients are willing to talk, however, he said, “The state wants the chief to make some sort of admission, and the tribe is not going to agree to that.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:00 PM | Comment

State police arrest E. Greenwich man after chase

An East Greenwich man is to be arraigned today after the Rhode Island State Police arrested him last night on several charges following a car chase.

The state police said in a news release that Joseph L. Cevoli, 36, with a last known address of 10 Barnes St., East Greenwich, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, eluding police/high speed pursuit, resisting arrest, operating on a suspended license, receiving stolen goods, and being a fugitive from justice for felony charges out of North Attleboro.

Cevoli was also arrested on warrants for failure to appear for home confinement review and for breaking and entering -- that originated out of North Kingstown.

The Providence police last night alerted other agencies to look out for Cevoli and a car in connection with an alleged breaking and entering in Providence. Charges are pending in Providence, according to the news release.

Details of the chase were not yet available.

Cevoli was slated for a morning arraignment and fugitive from justice hearing in District Court, Providence, the state police said.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:56 AM | Comment

ATM scanner scammer sentenced to 4 years

PROVIDENCE -- One of the men arrested for using fake ATM card scanners to steal shoppers’ card information was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to serve four years in federal prison.

Arman Ter-Esayan was also given the minimum sentence of two years – to be served concurrently -- for aggravated identity theft, and three years probation.

The judge also said he would recommend Ter-Esayan serve his term in a federal prison in southern California, close to his home.

After his prison sentence, Ter-Esayan, an Armenian national, will be turned over to immigration officials for deportation.

Another of the men involved in the scheme -- Gevork Baltadjian -- is scheduled for sentencing later today.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:48 AM | Comment

URI student stabbed at school dance

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — A University of Rhode Island student was stabbed at an on-campus dance early this morning and taken to South County Hospital with what the university described as “non-life threatening” injuries.

The incident occurred at about 1:05 a.m. in the Memorial Union building during a dance sponsored by the Cape Verdean Students Association, according to a written statement from Robert F. Drapeau, URI’s public safety director. The victim was a male, Drapeau said.

URI spokesman David Lavallee said officials are investigating what took place and expect to release more information “as the day goes on.”

As of 10:25 a.m., Lavallee said there had been no arrests as far as he knew.

“I think they’re trying to find out what happened,” he said.

-- Journal staff writer Randal Edgar

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:43 AM | Comment

North Providence dismantles skateboarder park

There were no protesting skateboarders this morning when the North Providence Public Works crew arrived to continue dismantling the town's skate park.

Angry skaters stood their ground on the park's ramps yesterday, slowing down the process. Some said they'd even skip school to protest again this morning.

But the only sign that anyone had visited the park, according to Public Works Director Glenn Corrente, was a small ramp found in nearby woods.

"They had camouflaged it," Corrente said.

The park was assembled in about a week. Corrente says it will take a few days to fully dismantle. The pieces will be put in storage.

Mayor Charles Lombardi said the move was a response to complaints about noise, trash and graffiti that have surrounded the facility since it opened in January.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:41 AM | Comment

Coventry councilman faces drunken driving charge

A Coventry councilman was arraigned this morning in District Court on a drunken driving charge.

Anthony J. Colaluca, who turned 24 on Monday, pleaded not guilty and was released on $5,000 personal recognizance.

Colaluca, a Democrat, was stopped by police on Arnold Road near New London Avenue just before 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 25.

He is also scheduled to appear before the state Traffic Tribunal on Sept. 11, where he faces a charge of refusing to submit to a chemical breath test.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:32 AM | Comment

Police investigate Newport shooting

A 40-year-old Newport man was found with a gunshot wound early this morning at an apartment complex.

The Newport police say they received a call complaining of gunfire at 12:45 a.m. When they arrived at the Park Holm Apartments, they found Jermane Noka. He had a single gunshot wound to his left rib cage.

The police say Noka’s injury was not life threatening. The incident is under investigation.

This is the second shooting at the complex in the past two months.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:14 AM | Comment

West End Fire: Firefighters at 193 Linwood

A morning fire in the city's West End is under control now.

Firefighters are still on the scene.

A call came in at about 8:15 this morning of a fire on the third floor of 193 Linwood Ave. It was under control by about 8:30.

The three-story wood frame house was occupied at the time of the call, according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the fire department. All residents were evacuated.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:04 AM | Comment

Convicted killer caught in Southeast Massachusetts

MATTAPOISETT, Mass. — State Police have captured a convicted killer who fled police after they tried to serve him a warrant for a parole violation.

Police say 46-year-old Charles Chaples was caught in the town of Marion at about 7 a.m. No details were provided about the arrest.

Chaples was paroled last year after serving 24 years in prison for the 1982 shooting death of a night watchman at an amusement park in Dartmouth.

-- The Associated Press

Authorities said Chaples, who works as a truck driver, was making a delivery to the Mattapoissett Business Park on Thursday when officers attempted to serve a warrant for the parole violation that stemmed from an alleged domestic incident in New Bedford.

Police say Chaples fled into nearby woods, prompting a massive search involving canine units and a helicopter.

Concerned school officials canceled outdoor recess and informed parents that children would not be dropped off at bus stops unless parents were there to greet them.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:52 AM | Comment

Tomorrow looks like the best beach day

Is it summer's last hurrah?

The National Weather Service is predicting sunny skies and temperatures in the high 80s today after the morning fog clears.

Temperatures should drop down to the mid 60s tonight, then back up to the high 80s Saturday.

There may be some long-awaited rain on the horizon; there's a slight chance of showers early Sunday morning and a 50 percent chance or thunderstorms later in the day.

Cooler temperatures return Monday, with the predicted high in the mid 70s.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Download today's front page

The arrest and death of an immigrant and an overhaul at DCYF lead today's Journal.
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Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:48 AM | Comment

ATM scammers to be sentenced today

PROVIDENCE -- Two of the four California men arrested for using fake ATM card scanners at stores in Rhode Island to gain access to shoppers’ bank accounts are scheduled to be sentenced this morning.

Arman Ter-Esayan, 22 at the time of his arrest in February, and Gevork Baltadjian, then 20, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to traffic in unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft, which is identity theft in furtherance of another felony.

Ter-Esayan will be will be sentenced at US District Court in Providence at 10:30 a.m. Baltakjian's hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Also convicted was Arutyun Shatarevyan, 20 at the time of his arrest, and Mikael Stepanian, 28. Shartarevyn is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and Stepanian is scheduled for Nov. 2 sentencing at 2 p.m.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the amount of gain or loss.

Aggravated identity theft carries a minimum two-year sentence, consecutive to any sentence for conspiracy.

Find out what stores were scammed here.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 6:41 AM | Comment