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September 10, 2007

Tonight: Rock bands by any other name ...

Long gone are the days, it seems, when bands could be named for insects. Just consider the rosters playing tonight in Providence.

At As220, it's Rahdunes, Amolvacy, Brian Knoth & R.A. Fish, Lakes and Astronaut. Whatever the names, The Journal's club listings say they play rock. The show is at 115 Empire St., Providence. Call 831-9327. 8 pm. $6. All ages.

Over at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Sum 41 and Yellowcard play rock at 79 Washington St., Providence. Call 331-5876, 272-5876, www.etix.com. 7 pm. $20 advance; $22 day of show; $30 reserved.

For more of what's happening around Rhode Island, check projo.com's calendar listings.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:15 PM | Comment

R.I. congressmen criticize Petraeus' Iraq report

Members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation today criticized Gen. David H. Petraeus' report to Congress on U.S. troop levels in Iraq as continuing a stay-the-course strategy from the Bush administration that has little to show for itself.

"The administration wants us to continue the status quo for another year in the hope that the Iraqis will resolve their political differences, even though we have seen little progress in that area to this point," Rep. James Langevin said in a statement. "In my opinion, that is too much to hope for, and we as a nation must decide if we want to continue sacrificing American lives and taxpayer dollars when the Iraqis have not taken responsibility for their own future."

Langevin said that everywhere he went for community meetings in his district last month, he heard the same thing: "We need to get ou tof Iraq as soon as possible."

Langevin said Petraeus recommended relatively minor troop reductions before next summer, returning forces to the pre-"surge" level of 130,000 troops.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said in his statement that while Petraeus' report argues security is improving in Iraq, "with 160,000 American troops on the ground and more than $700 billion spent, we should expect some progress of some kind. What has not improved is the political environment necessary for Iraq to begin to stabilize and move forward.

"Nothing fundamental will change in Iraq unless its leaders have the will to work together."

Rep. Patrick Kennedy said in a statement that "nothing in today’s hearing suggests that a level of success has been achieved that would support staying the course any longer. If we truly wish to build an America that is safer and stronger, we need to begin drawing down in Iraq, to redeploy our soldiers and Marines back home and concentrate our efforts in Afghanistan where our real enemy, al-Qaeda, is making a resurgence.

"No parade of statistics, no pleas for more time, alters this fact: the war in Iraq is a diversion from real threats to America’s security.”

The three congressmen are all Democrats.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:55 PM | Comment

Services to mark 6th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

A number of planning memorial services will be held around Rhode Island tomorrow to mark the six-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

From the Capital City to Exeter to Newport, state and municipal officials will gather with friends and family of victims for remembrance ceremonies. The attacks also claimed the lives of some Rhode Islanders.

The day will begin in Providence with a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the Bell Area of the State House led by Governor Carcieri. Carcieri will be joined by members of victims' families. Participants will include the 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.

Following the ceremony, Rhode Island for Community and Justice is sponsoring a walk from the State House to the Wall of Hope at WaterPlace Park.

At noon, a ceremony will be held for the victims of the attacks and for people working to fight terrorism at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

At the same time in Newport, the Naval War College will hold its own ceremony to honor Pentagon officials who were victims of the attacks. The ceremony will specifically honor the three Naval War College students and seven alumni who were killed that morning. Family members, local dignitaries and members of the Newport Naval community will attend.

Later in the evening, the state’s Green Party will gather for a roundtable discussion on security in the 21st century, at 7 p.m. in the rotunda at the Community College of Rhode Island campus at One Hilton St. in Providence. The event is free and open to the public.

This week, the College Republican Federation of Rhode Island says it will host events including flag display memorials, prayer vigils and speakers on campuses throughout Rhode Island.

Tomorrow, the University of Rhode Island College Republicans are co-sponsoring a memorial on the Kingston campus quadrangle, with the Student Senate and other organizations.

Both Brown University and Providence College CR's are displaying flags on their quads this week and are later hosting vigils.

From Sept. 11-13 the Roger Williams University College Republicans are co-sponsoring with Student Senate a display of over 3,000 American flags on the quad between the Arch building and the Commons.

Each flag is representative of a life lost on Sept. 11. On Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Marine and Natural Sciences Room 200, survivor Earl C. Johnson gives a talk entitled, "Stairwell to Heaven: A 9/11 World Trade Center Survivor's Story."

Extra: Local victims of September 11th

From The Journal's archives: Click through a gallery memorializing local victims

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 5:28 PM | Comment

Update: Impact of fatal hit-run reaches into schools

PROVIDENCE -- Crisis teams have gone into the classrooms of Alfred A. Lima Sr. School to help elementary students begin to come to terms with the death of an 8-year-old classmate in a hit-and-run accident in Providence yesterday.

An uncle identified the boy as Ivan Jimenez, 8, and School Principal Jose Valerio this afternoon verified that a group, including a guidance counselor, the nurse, a psychiatrist and the principal himself went into classrooms to speak to the children, including those who knew Ivan well.

About 10 to 15 students had individual counseling as well. Valerio said letters about what happened are going home to all parents.

One teacher called Ivan "smart" and another teacher said he was "bright," a hard worker, according to Valerio. "He often had a smile on his face" and was "always willing to help kids; since he was one of the smartest ones he was always helping his classmates.

"It was a tragedy," added Valerio. "It's hard for the families," the students and others and "we are here to support them."

The Providence police continue looking for the man they believe drove the car -- 26-year-old Dennis Cherry. Cherry, who police said initially was from Warwick, has no known address.

A small memorial marks the block where the hit-and-run accident on Bucklin Street yesterday took Ivan's life and left his 12-year-old brother, Eric, a Gilbert Stuart Middle School seventh grader, in critical condition today

Gilbert Stuart school had a faculty meeting this morning to let teachers know what happened. A crisis team from the district was in as well. They met with groups and individuals if they felt they needed counseling.

Principal Marc Catone sent letters out today and will make phone calls to parents tonight using the Connect-Ed system. Police Chief Dean Esserman was in speaking to the students. “It really was a concerted effort to make sure everyone was OK," Catone said.

Catone said Eric is “a really good kid, very good, never in trouble.” A handful of students needed to do “a little more with the counselors” because they knew him out of school.

Out at the memorial today, cars driving down the active street in the city’s Elmwood neighborhood slowed down to take note of the burning candles and toy cars on the sidewalk near the scene. A firetruck drove by, pausing and pointing at it before driving off.

One young woman, who did not want to be named, took a bracelet off her wrist and placed it on the memorial. She said the boys were close friends of her family.

There are always children walking up and down Bucklin Street, she said. You can see colorful murals that decorate The Met School from the site of the accident.

“It could’ve been any little kids,” she said. “Unfortunately, it had to be them.”

The police say the boys were walking home on the sidewalk on Bucklin Street between Bellevue Avenue and Hanover Street at about 2 p.m. when Cherry, driving southbound, drove onto the sidewalk and struck them from behind.

-- projo.com staff writers Michael P. McKinney and Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith and Journal staff photographer Bill Murphy

After they were hit, according to the police, the suspect left his car, a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis, and ran away.

The police said they've issued a warrant charging Cherry with leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, and leaving the scene of an accident, injury resulting.

Cherry's mother, Kathy Dagraca, visited the scene this morning and said her son wasn't involved. She said that it was his car, but that the police description of the driver doesn't resemble her son.

The children were taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where Ivan was pronounced dead. His brother was in critical condition with multiple injuries, including one to the head, a hospital spokeswoman said this afternoon.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:42 PM | Comment

Star of 'Hannah Montana' to perform in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- Miley Cyrus, the 14-year-old singer and actress who plays Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, is coming to Rhode Island.

Cyrus is scheduled to perform at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, in Providence, as part of her "Best of Both Worlds" tour.

The show is scheduled for Dec. 20. Tickets go on sale Sept. 29. Visit her Web site for more information about Miley and the tour.

--Journal Staff Writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:31 PM | Comment

R.I. health, human services secretary to retire

PROVIDENCE -- Jane Hayward, state secretary of health and human services and a presence in Rhode Island state government since 1973, will retire on Oct. 5, Governor Carcieri's office announced today.

Hayward, of Narragansett, "is one of the most respected public servants in Rhode Island,” Carcieri said in a statement. “During her long career, Jane has been at the forefront of the state’s efforts to compassionately deliver critical services to our most vulnerable citizens."

Carcieri added that he "relied heavily on Jane for guidance and support" during difficult budgetary times.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

“As you know, when you were returned to office, we discussed my continued service to the administration and I indicated a willingness to commit for the first two years of your second term...," Hayward wrote in a Sept. 7 letter to Carcieri.

“Given the realities of budget development in this very serious fiscal environment, your administration will require consistent leadership over the development and implementation of the fiscal year 2009 and subsequent budgets and initiatives across the health and human services departments,” Hayward's letter said. “In acknowledgement of the importance of that reality, and to support and advance the continuing evolution of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services with sustainable leadership, pleased be advised that I will retire effective October 5, 2007.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:10 PM | Comment

Poll: Clinton keeps lead; Carcieri's rating plunges

PROVIDENCE -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton slightly widened her lead among likely Rhode Island Democratic primary voters, while President Bush's job approval remains where it was in January, at 16 percent, according to the latest Brown University poll taken from a statewide sample of voters.

But Governor Carcieri's job approval numbers dropped considerably from the last poll: 44 percent of all surveyed said they feel he is doing a good job, compared to 59 percent in January.

And asked if they believed it is a good or bad idea for former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. to host a radio talk show, 57 percent said it was a good idea, 23 percent a bad idea and 20 percent were unsure.

Would Cianci's felony conviction make them more likely, about the same, or less likely to listen to what he says? The results were, respectively: 12 percent, 51 percent and 22 percent. Fifteen percent said they didn't know.

The poll, conducted Sept. 8 and 9, surveyed a total of 571 registered Rhode Island voters. Some questions were geared to a more select group. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

If the Democratic primary was held today, 35 percent of the 380 voters who said they were likely to vote in the primary would vote for Clinton, up 2 percentage points from January.

Sixteen percent said they would vote for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, 7 percent for John Edwards, 3 percent for Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, 2 percent for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, 1 percent each for Connecticut's Sen. Chistopher Dodd and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and 0 percent for Mike Gravel. Thirty-five percent were undecided.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

In the last Brown University poll, done on Jan. 27, 33 percent of 341 voters who said they were likely to vote in the 2008 Democratic primary said they'd support Clinton, with 15 percent for Obama, 8 percent for Edwards, 4 percent for Biden, 2 percent for Dodd, 1 percent each for Richardson and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, and 0 percent for Kucinich. Thirty-six percent were undecided.

Thirty-one percent of those polled said they believe the state is headed in the right direction -- a drop from 50 percent in January's poll. Fifty-seven percent now believe it's on the wrong track compared to 34 percent in January.

Sixty-four percent said Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline was doing a good job, down from 67 percent in the last survey. Twenty-one percent said House Speaker William Murphy was doing a good job, down from 26 percent, and 16 percent said Senate President Joseph Montalbano was doing a good job, a three percentage-point drop.

In an issue related to Montalbano, who has been fighting state ethics allegations against him, 67 percent of those polled said state lawmakers should be subject to ethics rules concerning how they vote. Eighteen percent said they should not be subject to the rules on votes and 15 percent were unsure, the poll showed.

Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts saw her numbers increase: 37 percent said she is doing a good job compared to 28 percent in the last poll. And Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's job approval rose to 48 percent from 40 percent in January. Twenty-three percent said Secretary of State Ralph Mollis is doing a good job, up from 19 percent, and 37 percent believe Treasurer Frank Caprio Jr. is doing a good job, a 15 percentage-point increase from January.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:31 PM | Comment

Green Acres school reopens after safety concerns

The first day at Green Acres Country Day School in North Providence is in full swing, and it’s going well, said business manager Sharyn Davis.

The school, which had been padlocked because of safety concerns expressed by the mayor and fire officials, opened its doors today.

Mayor Charles Lombardi sent a letter to school officials in early August saying he would no longer allow the school to operate at the former E. A. Brayton public school.

But the Town Council overruled the mayor two weeks ago and voted to give the school a 10-month lease.

Davis said the private school -- which typically enrolls 80 to100 children ages 3 to 7 -- lost about 20 percent of its enrolled students, but added some more students at an open house yesterday.

“I feel bad because I had full enrollment and waiting list,” when enrollment was opened, she said.

“But the first day is going well. The students are beautiful.”

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:00 PM | Comment

Police ID Cranston man killed by dump truck

CRANSTON --The police say the 89-year-old man killed after being struck by a dump truck Friday morning is Edward Defusco, of Cranston.

The 1992 Mack dump truck, owned by VJR LLC of Johnston, was driven by 51-year-old Domenic Cianci, of North Scituate, according to the Cranston police.

Defusco was crossing Atwood Avenue westbound near a crosswalk at about 10:30 a.m. when he was hit by the truck, which was driving south.

The Cranston Police Department's accident reconstruction team is still investigating.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:56 AM | Comment

Gas prices level off after falling 7 weeks

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island are unchanged this week after dropping for seven consecutive weeks, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.679 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey.

That's 14 cents less per gallon than drivers were paying a month ago.

Rhode Islanders are paying 10 cents less than the national average, according to AAA.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:22 AM | Comment

Paz scheduled for trial today on assault charge

Former boxer Vinny Paz is scheduled for trial today on misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges at Kent County District Court.

The 44-year-old Cranston native turned himself in in July after police found the alleged victim – Paz’s girlfriend -- Ashley P. Spencer of Maine, bloody-nosed and crying near Paz’s home at 54 Tivoli Court.

In a statement released after he turned himself in, the boxer said of domestic abuse, “I don’t like it … I am against it and I don’t do it. I never have and never will … This has been the worst month of my life because of this accusation. I am known for beating up world champion fighters, never women."

The five-time boxing world champion pleaded no contest to a drunken-driving charge in July after Warwick Police found his yellow Jeep parked, engine running, at a gas station.

Paz was asleep behind the wheel. He was sentenced to 60 hours of community service and substance-abuse treatment.

The Warwick resident changed his legal name from Vincent E. Pazienza to Vinny Paz four years ago. He has worked as a TV sports commentator and endorsed a number of products since his retirement from boxing in 2004.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:53 AM | Comment

Tiverton School Committee, teachers to resume talks

TIVERTON -- It's back to the bargaining table today for teachers and school committee members in Tiverton. The teachers union staged a one-day strike at the start of the school year before voting to return to classrooms on Wednesday. The main sticking points in the dispute are salary and health care benefits.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Some rain possible

There's chance of rain later today, but not much, just about a tenth to a quarter of an inch. The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 70 degrees.

There may be more rain this evening with patchy fog and a low temperature in the 60s.

There's a 30 percent chance of rain again tomorrow with a high of 75.

For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features a story about Greek-Americans in Rhode Island trying to help victims of fire in their homeland.

Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment