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September 17, 2007

Chafee has no plans now for another political run

Despite the rumors about his next move, former U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee said today that he isn’t making plans for another political run -- for the first time in 22 years.

There’s been talk that he would run for governor, general treasurer, or mayor of Providence. Chafee said any such decision is years away.

Right now, he’s a private citizen. “Fortunately, Rhode Island has the status of unaffiliated, which I’m enjoying right now,” he said.

Chafee said he has no interest in switching sides. “The Democratic Party is just as bad,” Chafee said today. “It’s leaderless and complicit in this war.”

His decision to leave the Republican Party, announced on Saturday, and become an unaffiliated voter has become a hot topic on Rhode Island and national political Web sites and blogs.

Chafee lost the seat previously held by his late father in last November's election, which sent Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, to Washington in an election cycle that saw Democrats' push to gain congressional majorities become a priority in blue-leaning states.

-- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits, with reports from projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:53 PM | Comment

ALERT: R.I. family among 14 to settle 9/11 suits

The families of 14 victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, including Pawtucket’s Shawn M. Nassaney, today settled lawsuits that they had filed against airlines, security companies, plane manufacturers and airport owners.

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, of the Southern District of New York, signed an order today saying agreements had been reached in each of the 14 lawsuits, so the cases will be closed as long as the settlements are completed within 30 days.

All parties agreed to not disclose details of the settlements, which followed pretrial rulings favorable to the plaintiff in a case that was set to go to trial on Monday, Sept. 24, said one of the plaintiff’s lead lawyers, Donald A. Migliori, a Rhode Islander who is a partner in Motley Rice law firm.

“We settled our case,” Nassaney’s father, Patrick Nassaney Sr., said in a statement. “We are ready to put this aspect of our loss behind us. The feelings we are left with are mixed. We learned a great deal about what happened on September 11th, but compensation does not heal our wounds. We choose to focus on our family now. And we will stand by Motley Rice in its continuing fight for answers until the very last case is tried.”

After the attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, 98.5 percent of the victims’ families chose to accept money from a federal compensation fund, and in doing so they gave up their right to sue. But some families opted out of the fund and sued — including relatives of Nassaney and of David L. Angell, who owned a home on the East Side of Providence and was executive director of the Frasier television series.

The Angell case is one of 21 lawsuits that remain unresolved and that may head to trial, Migliori said. No trial date has been set.

“Fourteen of the plaintiffs were in a place to accept the offers that came about as a result of a lot of activity over the past week, including favorable pretrial rulings,” Migliori said. “But 21 cases did not resolve. They haven’t reached that level of completeness regarding compensation and accountability. That fight continues.”

More to come ...

-- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:08 PM | Comment

DOT closing temporary Barrington span at night

BARRINGTON -- The state Department of Transportation is closing the temporary bridge over the Barrington River at night this week so the structure can be inspected.

The small span was built for traffic to cross the river during the long-delayed construction of the Barrington Bridge linking Barrington and Warren. It was closed Sunday and Monday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will be blocked off again tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday nights during the same hours.

Dana Nolfe, a spokeswoman for the DOT, said the bridge must be closed during the inspections because a device used to lower a person over its side will take up much of the roadway. Any maintenance or repairs to the structure will be carried out during the work this week. Nolfe said the bridge will be open at night again on Friday.

-- Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner

All traffic, including the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s buses on Route 60 between Newport and Providence, will be detoured. Vehicles traveling north to the bridge will be diverted onto New Meadow Road and then turn left on Masasoit Avenue before turning back onto Route 114. Vehicles traveling south must turn left onto Masasoit Avenue, then right on New Meadow Road to reach Route 114.

The Barrington Bridge is slated to be finished in 2010, four years after the original completion date. It will cost more than $22 million, more than twice the contract price.

Nolfe said DOT Director Jerome F. Williams meets regularly to discuss the progress of the bridge project. “That is definitely moving ahead,” she said. “We’re working hard.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:01 PM | Comment

R.I. speaker, governor react to Mass. casino plans

Reacting to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal today to license three Bay State resort casinos, Rhode Island House Speaker William Murphy said state lawmakers in January will have to take "another serious look" at whether to have table games up and running before Massachusetts does.

Murphy, a Democrat, spoke of the existing Twin River facility in Lincoln and the Newport Grand -- and perhaps looking at a third option.

"For the time being, both entities will survive. However, if three casinos go in Massachusetts, I think we will have some problems," he said, referring to the argument that casinos in neighboring states steal away dollars from Rhode Island.

But asked if Republican Governor Carcieri would propose table games, spokesman Jeff Neal said it was extremely unlikely.

'From a regional perspective, the casino industry has taken a divide and conquer approach to New England. The danger is once one New England state falls for that argument, all of the other New England states may be forced to take that same step," Neal said.

Two of the largest casinos in the country are being operated by Indian tribes in eastern Connecticut, while the Narragansetts continue to press for a casino in Rhode Island, where Governor Carcieri remains strongly opposed.

Patrick today proposed licensing three casinos in a move he said would generate between $400 million and $450 million in annual tax revenue that he would spend on transportation upgrades and property-tax relief.

Under the plan, the "tasteful and appropriate" casinos would be distributed one each in the western, southeastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions of the state, Patrick said. The licenses would be put up for bid in a competitive process open to Indian tribes and casino companies.

"Casino gambling is neither a cure-all nor the end of civilization," Patrick said. "On balance, however, and under certain conditions, I believe resort casinos can work well in, and for, the Commonwealth."

However, lawmakers must approve expanding legalized gambling beyond the state lottery and four racetracks, and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said he was not persuaded by Patrick's plan.

"So far, our concerns for ushering in casino gambling have not been eased," DiMasi said in a statement. "We in the House remain skeptical. But we will hear the governor out and we will be asking the governor to explain the rationale behind his conclusions.

"I will obviously be discussing this with members of the House, some of whom have serious and justified concerns about creating a casino culture here in the Commonwealth."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney and The Associated Press, with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

Gambling opponents already are mobilizing against the plan, arguing the casinos won't be the cash cow Patrick hopes and will end up costing the state money - primarily lottery revenues - while destroying its character.

"I didn't make this proposal without understanding that it's going to take some work to get it passed," Patrick said.

Patrick said the casinos would generate more than $2 billion annually in economic activity and create "good jobs at good wages." He said "tens of thousands" of construction jobs would be created to build the facilities.

"With that kind of economic benefit, we cannot reject the gaming industry out of hand," he said.

Patrick did not address how much money could be raised up front for the licenses, nor how long the licenses would last.

The governor said developing casino gambling in the state was part of his overall plan to advance initiatives that provide long-term sustainable growth for Massachusetts.

"Destination resort casinos can serve a useful role in our overall economic plan," he said.

Patrick is under pressure to find new revenues as the state looks for extra money to close an estimated $15-billion to $19-billion gap in transportation spending over the next 20 years.

"Our roads, rails, buses and bridges are showing the effect of over 16 years of neglect," the governor said.

Patrick also wants to spend the revenue to fulfill one of his campaign pledges to reduce property taxes, which he said he would do through tax credits.

The governor also has proposed big ticket items including a $1 billion, 10-year life-science project that would include the world's largest stem-cell bank and a $1.4 billion commuter rail line from Boston to Fall River and New Bedford.

He also said trust funds would be created to deal with public health issues linked to gambling and "community mitigation" -- to help towns offset the costs of hosting a casino.

DiMasi has opposed an expansion of gambling in the past. But in the weeks leading up to Patrick's announcement, the Boston Democrat said he would keep an open mind.

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray has said she supported expanded gambling.

Patrick's plan follows a proposal by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build a $1 billion casino on land it owns in Middleborough. The tribe could either try to outbid others for one of the licenses proposed by Patrick, or continue along a more lengthy track to win federal approval that could result in a fourth casino in the state.

The governor said at least one of the licenses would have "a Native American component."

"I fully expect that we will give special weight to the tribe. I think they have a special role and interest," he said of the Mashpee Wampanoags.

"I just can't tell you whether that means reserving one of the licenses, or giving special weight to one or more of the licenses with the tribe as a partner," he said.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Indians have declared that they would also open a casino if their Mashpee counterparts do the same.

Consumers spent $32 billion in commercial casinos in 11 states last year - more than consumer spending on specialty coffee and books combined, according to the American Gaming Association.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:47 PM | Comment

Photo: Bluefish circle near courthouse

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
A school of bluefish was spotted in the Providence River outside Rhode Island Superior Courthouse this afternoon. The sight was unusual not only because the fish were in the river at all, but because they are most often spotted feeding and are usually associated with frothy water as the baitfish on which they feed jump to escape and the bluefish jump after them. But the water outside the courthouse was unusually calm, with the bluefish simply circling.

Posted by maria caporizzo at 4:44 PM | Comment

Naval Station Newport has a new commander

NEWPORT -- A new commander has taken charge of Naval Station Newport.

A Navy spokeswoman says Captain Michel Poirier has assumed command of the base.

He's a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and arrived at the local base after a stint on the staff of the chief of naval operations.

Poirier also served aboard five submarines, including during two deployments to support military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He replaces Captain Todd Malloy, who's joining the staff at the Command Leadership School.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:40 PM | Comment

Two human cases of West Nile in Massachusetts

BOSTON, Mass. -- State health officials have confirmed two more human cases of West Nile Virus.

The Department of Public Health has identified the latest people to contract the disease as a 53-year-old woman from Arlington and a 48-year-old woman from Worcester.

Both became ill last month.

The two cases are the first of the season contracted from mosquito exposure within Massachusetts.

Health officials say three previous West Nile Virus cases identified in Massachusetts were detected in people who contracted the infection outside the state.

Three people in Massachusetts were diagnosed with West Nile last year, while another five became sick with eastern equine encephalitis.
In an effort to reduce exposure risks, people are urged to drain standing water and avoid going outside during peak mosquito hours.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:38 PM | Comment

Treasurer to study public pensions across the country

The State Retirement Board has approved a proposal to study differences between the state’s Employees’ Retirement System and similar public-sector systems across the country.

The Benchmarking study was proposed by General Treasurer Frank Caprio who said in a statement that the study “will enable us to measure the productivity of our operation and identify areas where we can do our jobs more effectively for the people of Rhode Island."

The study will consider service level, costs, number of transactions and complexity in its comparisons.

CEM Benchmarking, the company approved to conduct the study, has a database of information about many public-pension services.

Caprio said improving the system’s performance “is an essential part of my commitment to improve customer service and make government accountable.”

This move comes two months after the State Retirement Board announced a 14 percent increase this fiscal year – about a $50 million increase -- in the cost of the state pension system.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 4:31 PM | Comment

Whitehouse 'cautiously optimistic' about A.G. choice

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse speaks today at Roger Williams University School of Law, where the former U.S. attorney for Rhode Island's topic was "Why We Need an Independent Department of Justice."

BRISTOL -- U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse today said he was “cautiously optimistic” about Michael B. Mukasey, the former federal judge who is President Bush’s choice to replace Alberto R. Gonzales as U.S. attorney general.

Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold Mukasey’s confirmation hearings, spoke at the Rogers Williams University School of Law as part of a program marking the 220th birthday of the U.S. Constitution.

“Not only is it Constitution Day,” Whitehouse told the audience, “It is also the first Gonzales-free day.”

Gonzales resigned late last month amid controversy over the firing of U.S. attorneys and allegations that he may have perjured himself when he testified before Congress. He left the Justice Department on Friday.

Overall, Democrats did not declare any outright opposition to Mukasey, whose selection was announced by Bush this morning.

Before the speech, Whitehouse told reporters that Mukasey “seems to be well qualified, and he does not seem to be the kind of individual who would let his ideology run away with him and affect his ability to run an independent Department of Justice.”

Mukasey, 66, was appointed to the federal bench by President Reagan in 1987, and retired last year to go into private practice. He spent 19 years as a federal judge in New York, including as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

-- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

But Whitehouse emphasized that “very serious issues” remain regarding congressional oversight, such as getting documents related to the firing of federal prosecutors. He said he wants to make sure that Mukasey “understands how important it is that the Justice Department be rebuilt and how serious the damage is.”

He said he wants to ensure that Mukasey is “not following the Bush line that this was just a political attack on Gonzales, that there’s nothing really wrong there.”

“If he gets those things, and the hearing process will show that, then I think he’s got a very good chance to be our next attorney general,” Whitehouse said. “But a lot depends on the hearings.”

Whitehouse said Mukasey appears to be a better choice than Theodore B. Olsen, the former solicitor general favored by some conservatives. “The purpose right now that the department needs to achieve is convincing the American public that it will do the right thing first and the political thing second,” he said. “So somebody who has been as closely associated with President Bush and has been as involved in political matters as Ted Olsen had a lot to explain.”

By contrast, Mukasey is “coming off a court where he served for a long time through many administrations with considerable distinction,” Whitehouse said. So Mukasey “starts with a better feel for his independence, and I think that’s an important starting point.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:12 PM | Comment

Update: Chafee's quiet GOP exit draws loud response

Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee's adios to the GOP is catching kudos, drawing fire or getting catty shrugs along the lines of "He was a Republican?"

The response today to the weekend news that Rhode Islander Chafee is now an unaffiliated voter depends on where you turn or click your mouse.

From Rhode Island's Republican Party this morning comes a news release saying it's an "unfortunate but not surprising outcome of the senator's long, difficult relationship with the national party in recent years."

Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione says in the statement, "We were aware that he had made this decision and that he planned to reveal it himself on his own terms."

Cicione goes on to say that Chafee is "personally well liked, well-regarded, and he always will be, but it is no surprise that having had a long, difficult struggle as a moderate with the more conservative wing of the party in Washington, he felt estranged from the party. But in light of his family's long, well-respected history and affiliation with the Rhode Island Republican Party, this is an unfortunate outcome."

Cicione states it's his sincere hope the national Republican Party "can again become one that stands on principle. We must redefine our party as one that advocates vigorously and consistently for limited government while standing firmly for equal treatment and justice for all citizens. By doing this we will become a magnet for those that are looking to serve the public as proud Republicans rather than driving them out."

Local and national blogs and their commenters are also staking out turf on the decision.

Over at rifuture.org, one commenter says "a good move for Linc. If he had the courage to do before November he would still be sitting in the Senate." Another commenter bemoans "the party of fiscal conservatism decided to become the party of giving middle taxpayer money to selected (Republican owned or Republican donor) corporations for big profits while cutting taxes for the wealthy."

At Anchorrising.com, a commenter says Chafee's exodus from the party is "possibly the best thing that has happened to it in a generation."

A projo.com reader has a more bipartisan approach: "Maybe if they got rid of the Republican Democratic parties all together things could get done in the goverment."

Add your own comments via projo.com's survey on Chafee's decision.

Continue reading to find a sampling of more comments from more blogs.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

The commenter waxes poetic to the melody of the Seven Dwarfs' "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work we go":

RI-No

Ri-No

It's independent he'll go

No more feckless Linc

Whose family did the party sink

RI-No

Ri-No

A blog item at themoderatevoice.com has more about RINOs, saying that if "more of them are excluded, perhaps some more of them will leave the elephants' party -- and decide on Election Day to join the donkeys.

"And there are more RINO and donkeys put together than elephants."

The 23 comments attached to the piece swing back and forth: elephant, donkey, etc.

Some commenters at www.dailykos.com, which calls itself a liberal blog, see Chafee's leaving as a portentious sign for the Republican party in the northeast. "Overall, the future of the GOP on the East Coast is uncertain," begins one comment.

Another goes farther: " ... The way things are going, it's going to be hard to find anyone who will admit to being a GOPer outside of the deep South by 2010 ... ."

Not so fast, say the voices sounding off at www.clubforgrowth.org, where a writer keeps it tight: under headline "Lincoln Chafee Leaves the GOP" is this:

"What a shocker."

At Arianna Huffington's politics site, www.huffingtonpost.com, a commenter says Chafee is "one of the Few Rockefeller Republicans left and he is leaving the party." Another commenter puts it this way: "The one Republican that I didn't want to see get defeated in Nov. 06 was Chafee, other than the fact that it gave the Dems a little majority. Living in Ct., I would've gladly traded a Lieberman for a Chafee (albeit the impossibility.)"

But a commenter at www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com has a different take, putting Chafee and former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in a "pathetic" category. "Their admissions and realizations come only after they’ve been driven from office. They’re not even ‘deathbed conversions’: it’s more like they’ve converted only after they’ve died and had to face the afterlife (and, for the record, the correct answer is Buddhism, if I have to pick one), " the commenter says.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:46 PM | Comment

Update: Assault case against Paz dismissed

A District Court judge today dismissed a case against former boxer Vinny Paz after the woman he was accused of assaulting failed to appear in court.

At issue, according to Judge William Clifton, was Paz’s Sixth Amendment right “to be confronted with the witnesses against him.”

But despite looking for her in her hometown, Eliot, Maine, as well as in Massachusetts and this state, prosecutors could not find Ashley P. Spencer, the woman police found two months ago, crying with a bloody nose near Paz’s home in Warwick.

The prosecutor in the case was Robert Sgroi and Paz's lawyer was William Devine.

Paz, a five-time boxing world champion, pleaded no contest last month to a drunken driving charge after the police found him asleep at the wheel of his running Jeep, parked in a gas station. He was sentenced to substance-abuse counseling and 60 hours of community service.

Paz worked as a sports commentator on television, and endorsed several products since he retired from boxing in 2004. He’s currently playing the lead in Thunder Doyle, a movie being filmed in Rhode Island.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:19 PM | Comment

Update: Mass. governor backs plan for 3 casinos

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick proposed licensing three full-scale casinos in Massachusetts today, in a move he said would generate billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs.

Under the plan, the casinos would be distributed in the western, southeastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions of the state. The licenses would be put up for bid in a competitive process open to Indian tribes and casino companies.

But, he said, he did not know if bids from tribes would be given special weight. Bids also would not be limited to Massachusetts entities.

The Legislature must approve expanding legalized gambling beyond the state lottery and four racetracks.

Patrick said the casinos would generate more than $2 billion annually and create "good jobs at good wages."

"With that kind of economic benefit, we cannot reject the gaming industry out of hand," he said.

Some of the revenues would go to transportation and property tax relief, Patrick said. He also said trust funds would be created to deal with public health issues linked to gambling and "community mitigation" -- to help towns offset the costs of hosting a casino.

Patrick also emphasized the casinos would be part of a wider economic development plan.

Two of the largest casinos in the country are being operated by Indian tribes in eastern Connecticut, while the Narragansetts continue to press for a casino in Rhode Island, where Governor Carcieri remains strongly opposed.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

More from the Associated Press ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:47 PM | Comment

State claims man conned 8 more victims

PROVIDENCE -- The list of people allegedly conned by John P. Kluth Jr. continues to grow.

Kluth, a former lobsterman from Newport, was arraigned today on eight more counts of obtaining money under false pretenses in Superior Court, Providence.

The charges name eight new victims, bringing to 40 the total number of people he's alleged to have connned in Rhode Island. Charges are also pending in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Investigators say Kluth would typically approach people with a story about a broken-down lobster truck. He allegedly would tell them he needed money for repairs or his catch would spoil and promise to pay them back.

Kluth, 47, pleaded not guilty to the five felonies and three misdemeanors through his lawyer, assistant public defender Joseph Dwyer.

Kluth continues to be held at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein is among the eight alleged new victims. Kluth allegedly cheated Feinstein out of $450. The charge is a felony because Feinstein is over 65.

Another of the alleged new victims is a Providence certified public accountant who says he was cheated out of $3,620 via several requests for money.

Kluth has been arrested several times in the state and he's been convicted at least three times of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Extra: Listen to Kluth talk about what he did with the money in an interview with Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:46 PM | Comment

Johnston police still searching for disabled man

The Johnston police have not found a 43-year-old developmentally disabled man who has been missing since he was taken into custody and released alone last Tuesday.

The police took Anthony Smith into custody after pulling over a car he was riding in as a passenger. Smith gave conflicting information about his age, and the police brought him into the station to verify his identity.

Family members say the police knew that Anthony Smith, who lives with relatives in Providence, was disabled; they are angry he was taken into custody, and they are angry he was released before his uncle arrived at the police station.

The police say there were not aware of Smith's condition and that he went to the station voluntarily. A detective has been assigned to the case.

Smith’s relatives ask anyone with information about him to call (401) 954-5709, 863-0472 or 263-5389.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:24 AM | Comment

Cianci takes up residence in newest home / Photo

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
Cianci poses this morning in the courtyard of his new home at the 903 condo complex in Providence.

PROVIDENCE -- A historic East Side carriage house, the Providence Biltmore hotel and a federal prison in New Jersey share at least one distinction: They have all housed former Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr.

Now, you can add The 903 Residences to that list.

The owners of the Providence condominium complex announced today that Cianci will live among the "young professionals, empty nesters and first-time homebuyers" in the 330-unit development.

The units cost between $187,900 to $462,900. But the owners of the 903 have not said what, if anything, Cianci is paying for his new digs.

In June, Cianci worked at the 903 while on home confinement following his release from prison.

This Thursday, Cianci starts a new job -- as a talk-show host on WPRO-AM radio.

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:07 AM | Comment

Update: Whitehouse to discuss AG's office post Gonzales

BRISTOL -- U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is planning a trip to Roger Williams University today to discuss the state of the Department of Justice in the wake of the departure of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

The Rhode Island Democrat is the author of legislation aimed at restoring safeguards against political interference at the Justice Department.

Whitehouse's bill would limit the number of people at the White House and Justice Department allowed to initiate discussions about ongoing cases or investigations.

The Justice Department and White House would be required to notify Congress if other officials were allowed to discuss pending investigations.

Whitehouse is scheduled to speak at noon at the university's school of law in Bristol on the same day Gonzales has announced he will leave office.

Meanwhile, President Bush this morning announced his choice of Judge Michael B. Mukasey as his nominee to replace Gonsalves.

Mukasey, 66, is a retired federal judge who served in the Southern District of New York and prosecutor is a law-and-order conservative with a strong background handling terrorist cases.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:45 AM | Comment

Gas prices drop 2 cents

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped this week, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.659 at the self-service pump, down two cents from last week, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The price of gasoline has dropped eight of the nine past weeks, according to AAA. It was unchanged last week.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:12 AM | Comment

Mayor Cicilline to field questions from residents

PROVIDENCE -- Is there something you’d like to say to the mayor?

You might have a chance to tell him tonight at Mayor’s Night Out.

Beginning at 5 p.m., residents and groups are invited to meet Mayor David N. Cicilline at the city’s Emergency Management Agency & Office of Homeland Security, at 591 Charles Street.

The meetings, on a first-come, first-serve basis, give residents ten minutes to ask questions and let the mayor and city officials know what issues they're concerned about.

For more information, call (401) 421-2489, ext. 752.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:10 AM | Comment

Senate panel hearing set on status of 17-year-olds

Debate over the recent removal of those 17 and older from Family Court jurisdiction is headed to a state Senate committee hearing.

The Senate Health and Human Services panel's look into the matter will include a hearing Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Room 313 of the State House.

Slated to testify at the hearing are Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, Child Advocate Jametta O. Alston, and A.T. Wall II, the state Department of Corrections director.

Invited to testify are representatives from Family Court and the state Police Chiefs Association.

The public can also testify, according to a General Assembly news release. Written testimony can also be submitted by Monday for review before the meeting.

The committee is holding a series of hearings on concerns raised about the state Department of Children, Youth and Families' care of children.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 8:00 AM | Comment

Paz due in court on domestic assault charge

Former boxer Vinny Paz is scheduled to appear in District Court, Warwick, today to face charges of domestic simple assault and domestic disorderly conduct.

Paz, a Cranston native who is now a Warwick resident, was arrested in July after the police found his girlfriend, Ashley P. Spencer, from Maine, crying with a bloody nose not far from Paz’s home.

The five-time boxing world champion pleaded no contest last month to a drunken driving charge after the police found him asleep at the wheel of his running Jeep, parked in a gas station. Paz, who legally changed his name from Vincent E. Pazienza to Vinny Paz four years ago, was sentenced to substance-abuse counseling and 60 hours of community service.

Paz worked as a sports commentator on television, and endorsed several products since he retired from boxing in 2004. He’s currently playing the lead in Thunder Doyle, a movie being filmed in Rhode Island.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:20 AM | Comment

Sunny in the mid 60s

You may want to bring a jacket with you today. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high in the mid 60s with clear and sunny skies.

Tonight we'll drop down to the high 40s.

Tomorrow should be sunny and a little warmer, with a high near 70s.

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 the second of a five part series on Cpl. Patrick Murray, a Marine from North Kingstown who was lost his leg in Iraq.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment