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January 14, 2008

Tonight: There's rock in the snowy city

All done with your snow shoveling? Then you've earned a night out on the town.

Justin and the Cosmics, Deer Tick and Will Elliott are slated to play rock at AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. 831-9327. 9 p.m. $6. All ages.

Mark Taber will plays the blues at The Hi-Hat, 3 Davol Square, Providence. 453-6500, www.thehihat.com. 7 to 11 p.m.

White Williams and Ecstatic Sunshine play rock at The Living Room, 23 Rathbone St., Providence. 521-5200. 9 p.m. All ages.

More ideas for events, visit projo.com's Lifebeat page.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:55 PM | Comment

Car crashes into Newport convenience store / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
This car crashed through the front of Cumberland Farms on Broadway, Newport, today, after the driver apparently hit the gas instead of the brakes. Newport firefighters check to see if the support beam for the building was damaged.

NEWPORT -- A car slammed through the entranceway of the Cumberland Farms at 125 Broadway this morning, but no one inside the car or the convenience store was hurt.

“The operator, knowing it was slippery, started braking, at which time she pressed the accelerator by mistake and the car lunged forward into the building,” said police Lt. William Fitzgerald.

The accident occurred at 10:30 a.m. as a winter storm was dropping several inches of snow on Aquidneck Island. Mary Young, 72, of 3 Sheffield Ave., drove into the parking lot with someone in the passenger seat. Her Nissan Maxima crashed right through the entrance, which is near the cashier’s counter, said Fitzgerald.

The entire front end of the car wound up inside the store.

“It wasn’t halfway in, but it was enough that the people inside the vehicle were concerned about the debris,” said Fitzgerald. “They were kind of wedged in…The Fire Department responded so they could be safely removed from the vehicle.”

The building inspector was summoned to the scene, said Fitzgerald, but he said “it doesn’t appear there were any structural deficiencies to the building.”

-- Journal staff writer Richard Salit

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:50 PM | Comment

WaterFire watercolor wins 5th annual Scenes of R.I.

A Providence artist's watercolor painting of WaterFire has been picked by Governor and Mrs. Carcieri as winner of the fifth annual Scenes of Rhode Island award.

Artist Deane S. Lawrence will receive the privately paid-for $1,000 prize, and there will be limited edition poster reproduction of the winning work “WaterFire, 2007."

"Mr. Lawrence has been exploring Rhode Island through his painting -- especially with a focus on its waterways," a news release from the governor's office said in announcing the awards early this evening.

Second prize goes to Natalie Pfanstiehl of Cranston, whose watercolor titled “Beavertail" gets $250. Third prize, and $100, goes to Newport’s Marietta Cleasby for her watercolor “Island Home School.”

The curated show is a partnership between the governor's office and State Council on the Arts "to promote both the beauty of the state and the artists who capture its essence," the news release said.

The winners are part of an exhibit featuring works by 43 artists at the Atrium Gallery at the Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, on Smith Street in Providence. The show is open to the public during business hours anc continues through Jan. 29.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:45 PM | Comment

Somerset police warn against disabled police aid group

SOMERSET, Mass. -- Police warned today that area businesses may be asked to contribute money to an organization that claims to benefit disabled police officers, yet apparently spends more than 80 percent of its budget on fundraising and not a dime on individuals.

The sales pitch from the Disabled Police Officers Assistance Foundation asks for money to support "our local community officers that are struggling through a hard time due to a disability.''

But the 2006 not-for-profit tax disclosure form for the organization's parent company -- the most recent on file with the state of Massachusetts -- shows that the group is based in Niceville, Fla., raised $627,052 and spent $513,200 on fundraising.

And the line that calls for listing "specific assistance to individuals'' is blank. The group, on its Web site, claims to have handed out 21 scholarships of up to $1,000 each in 2006 and 46 scholarships in 2005.

Police Chief Joseph C. Ferreira said the organization came to Somerset's attention after a local merchant was prepared to donate $1,000 and called police to check out its legitimacy.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

The group is sending out letters with a Rehoboth, Mass., letterhead and signed by Patrick D. Kane Jr., whom Ferreira said is connected to the Kane Marketing Group, which operates out of Pawtucket, R.I.

A message could not be left at Kane's number. A recording said the voicemail box was full. Police said they have also been unable to contact Kane after many days of attempts.

Ferreira said the investigation is continuing.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:17 PM | Comment

Update: Food terminal demolition begins, plus protesters

PROVIDENCE -- Carpionato Properties began demolishing the old food and produce terminal on Harris Avenue this afternoon, soon after a judge's ruling allowing it.

But the developer was forced to halt work for a time when several men -- and a man's dogs -- stood on the building to try to stop the demolition in hopes that an appeal of the ruling would be filed.

The police, arriving about 4:25 p.m. after Carpionato Properties called them, told Erik Bright, who had two dogs with him, Clay Rockefeller and others they would have to get off the building or be charged with tresspassing. They got off the building, and Carpionato has resumed demolition work.

The scene unfolded shortly before 4 p.m. -- shortly after a judge's ruling this afternoon that the company can knock down the terminal, denying an attempt by state lawyers to stop the demolition.

By late afternoon, a backhoe was taking down a canopy at the building's front, and windows were being removed on a corner of the building.

The Johnston developer had obtained a demolition permit last week from the Providence Building Official, allowing them to destroy the building as soon as asbestos removal work is complete.

The permitting surprised state officials, who had sold the historic 1929 building to Carpionato in February 2007 with the understanding that it would be reused. The day after the demolition permit was issued, state lawyers filed a motion seeking a temporary restraining order preventing Carpionato from knocking down the building.

This afternoon, Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein denied that motion, saying that the state would be unlikely to prove its case in the long term.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

“The court has concluded that it is unlikely here… that plaintiff has a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits,” Silverstein said.

“The court inescapably has concluded here that it must find against the plaintiff’s position,” Silverstein said.

Carpionato’s attorneys speculated that full demolition could take as long as four months.

State lawyer Michael Mitchell declined comment.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:13 PM | Comment

Update: Snow wanes after heavy, slushy start / Photo

Journal photo / Bob Thayer
Nelson Bravo Jr., 4, of Woonsocket, enjoys the winter wonderland that is Cold Spring Park in Woonsocket after today's snowstorm. Snowfall totals were higher in the northern part of the state.

A winter storm dropped wet, heavy snow through much of the area today, closing almost all schools, sparking some power outages, and slowing travel. But the disruptions appeared to be mild, compared to the storm that stalled the state last month.

By late morning, the snowfall had waned. Though it may keep falling through early afternoon, no more significant accumulation is expected.

Snow accumulation totals ranged from about 2 inches at T. F. Green Airport in Warwick to more than 5 inches farther inland and less towards the southern coast.

“I’m certainly not going to characterize this as a blockbuster storm or anything,” Charles Foley, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., said.

In what may have been an abundance of caution following the storm that left some students stranded on buses for hours, all school systems in the state cancelled classes today except one -- on Block Island.

The snow slowed travel throughout the region earlier this morning. Traffic was backed up on Route 146 North in Lincoln near the Wilbur Road overpass due to an accident during the rush-hour snowstorm this morning.

As of early this afternoon, the state police were reporting seven accidents and 45 disabled motor vehicles that they’d handled during the storm – significantly fewer than the nearly 200 the state police had handled during the Dec. 13 storm.

Across the state, north winds were mild, but heavy, slushy sleet was weighing down power lines, causing disruptions to thousands of homes.

About 1,700 National Grid customers remained without power in Rhode Island late this afternoon from the overnight snowstorm, compared to about 10,500 who were without power this morning, a National Grid spokesman said.

Some 475 customers were without power in Glocester, 435 in Foster, about 300 in Scituate and the rest scattered in other communities, said spokesman David Graves.

Graves said that there were a lot of individual outages, which can be labor intensive. He said there may be some customers who will be without power through the night but that the company expects the majority of customers' power will be on this evening.

The hardest hit cities and towns were Cumberland, Burrillville, Lincoln, Smithfield and Johnston.

And as staff trickled into The Journal office in Providence, several reported more than 5 inches in their cities and towns. But accumulations were less near the southern coast, with 1 to 2 inches on the ground in Wakefield.

More than a dozen arriving and departing flights were canceled at T. F. Green Airport. Check the latest flight information on the airport's Web site

About 100 flights scheduled to arrive of depart Logan International Airport in Boston were canceled or delayed. Check current flight status on Logan's Web site.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writers Amanda Milkovits, Gene Emery, Meaghan Wims, and Mark Arsenault.

By 7 a.m., an early rising Journal reporter had measured about 2 inches of accumulation in Cranston. He described lighter snow piled atop heavy slush. It's difficult to shovel, he said, but makes great snowballs.

Another reporter sent in a report from Pawtucket, where she said there were about 3 inches of snow on the ground by 9 a.m.

And although there were clumps of slush around, she said plows were on the roads in Seekonk, Swansea, Warren and Bristol, and bare pavement was even visible in places.

But later in the day, another Journal staffer said traffic had ground to a halt on Route 95 from the city north to Route 295.

"It's jammed," he said.

"Absolutely jammed."

Temperatures should climb just to the freezing point today, with a north wind between 10 and 17 mph.

There's a slight chance that the snow may continue into the evening, when temperatures drop to the low 20s and winds calming to about 6 mph.

Tomorrow may also bring more snow in the morning and early afternoon. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 30s and northwest winds should reach about 9 mph.

Looking ahead, this snow – coupled with fairly average temperatures – may not look so bad.

“The next significant feature that is on our plate is going to be a return to very arctic temperatures,” Foley said.

He’s talking about temperatures – high temperatures – in the 20s by the end of the week and over the weekend.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts for your area at: http://projo.com/weather

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 5:00 PM | Comment

Update: 1,700 remain without electricity after storm

About 1,700 National Grid customers remain without power in Rhode Island this afternoon from the overnight snowstorm, compared to about 10,500 who were without power this morning, a National Grid spokesman said.

Some 475 customers are without power in Glocester, 435 in Foster, about 300 in Scitutate and the rest scattered in other communities, said spokesman David Graves.

Graves said that there are a lot of individual outages, which can be labor intensive. He said there may be some customers who will be without power through the night but that the company expects the majority of customers' power will be on this evening.

What had been more than 30,000 customers without power around New England this morning is at about 10,000.

Extra: Tips from National Grid on dealing with storms and outages.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:56 PM | Comment

EPA: Warren boat maker will pay $195,000 in fines

A Warren boat maker will pay $195,000 in fines to settle claims that it violated federal Clean Air Act provisions.

Pearson Composites LLC will pay the penalties for violating emission standards, work practice standards and reporting and monitoring provisions, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The company corrected the violations after being told of them, the EPA said.

Pearson makes fiberglass boat hulls, decks and other components, and the manufacturing generates hazardous air pollutants -- mainly styrene and methyl methacrylate -- that "are known to adversely affect human health," the EPA said in a news release.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

A person can experience irritation to skin, eyes and mucous membranes by being exposed to methyl methacrylate, which is also "associated with certain adverse respiratory and neurological effects," EPA said.

A person's nervous system can be affected by exposure to styrene, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, has found is a possible carcinogen, the EPA said. Both styrene and methyl methacrylate are potential asthma irritants.

"To better protect public health and the environment, it is critical that all companies make every effort to comply with environmental laws and regulations," Robert Varney, EPA regional adminstrator, said in the statement. "Hazardous air pollutants can pose a serious risk to workers and to the public.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:37 PM | Comment

Sen. Reed will head to Iraq for his 11th visit there

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed will travel to Iraq tomorrow for his 11th visit there since 2003, his office announced.

The Rhode Island Democrat, a West Point graduate and Armed Services Committee senior member, is slated to meet with American commanders and Rhode Island soldiers serving there before returning to the United State on Jan. 19.

The U.S. military last week launched Operation Phantom Phoenix, an offensive aimed at "cracking down on al Qaeda-aligned terrorists and other insurgents in Iraq," Reed's office said.

Reed served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantry platoon leader.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:34 PM | Comment

Update: Nature disrupts naturalization ceremony

A group of soon-to-be American citizens faced a setback today when a naturalization ceremony was canceled due to weather, but they were not informed.

The ceremony, set to be conducted by Magistrate Judge Lincoln Almond, was canceled last night, according to U.S. District Court Chief Deputy Clerk Paulette Dube.

The ceremony was supposed to be at 9:30 a.m. today at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium In Providence, but the clerk of the court, David A. DiMarzio, decided to cancel the ceremony as winter storm warnings rolled in.

“The governor was saying, ‘If people don’t need to go out, then stay off the roads,’” Dube said.

So the court made calls to several media outlets, asking for the cancellation to be broadcast.

“We thought we were covered,” but the message, for some reason, didn’t get out.

The ceremony has not been rescheduled, but Dube said it will likely take place next month.

At about 8:30 this morning, one of the prospective new citizens called The Providence Journal and said that about 400 people had shown up for the ceremony.

The naturalization ceremony, he said, is a day many years in the making.

“Today was the day that I was supposed to become a U.S. citizen,” said the caller, who did not want to give his name.

“Now I’m not. It takes a year or so to get through the process … It’s a big deal, it’s a huge deal. It’s marriage, having a kid, then this.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said that the judge magistrate had made the decision to cancel the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, which was originally reported as scheduled for 9 a.m.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 4:13 PM | Comment

Judge says developer can demolish historic food terminal

PROVIDENCE -- A judge has ruled that Carpionato Properties can knock down the food and produce terminal on Harris Avenue, denying an attempt by state lawyers to stop the demolition.

The Johnston developer had obtained a demolition permit last week from the Providence Building Official, allowing them to destroy the building as soon as asbestos removal work is complete.

The permitting surprised state officials, who had sold the historic 1929 building to Carpionato in February 2007 with the understanding that it would be reused. The day after the demolition permit was issued, state lawyers filed a motion seeking a temporary restraining order preventing Carpionato from knocking down the building.

This afternoon, Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein denied that motion, saying that the state would be unlikely to prove its case in the long term.

“The court has concluded that it is unlikely here… that plaintiff has a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits,” Silverstein said.

“The court inescapably has concluded here that it must find against the plaintiff’s position,” Silverstein said.

Carpionato Senior Vice President Kelly Coates said that two canopies hanging over the bui

“We will take the canopies off and continue to remove the asbestos,” Coates said.

Carpionato’s attorneys speculated that full demolition could take as long as four months.

State Lawyer Michael Mitchell declined comment.

—Staff Writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Peter Phipps at 3:56 PM | Comment

Illegal immigrant wins $30,000 in workers' comp case

PROVIDENCE -- Edgar Velasquez, an illegal Mexican immigrant who slashed his face open with a chainsaw, today won a $30,000 settlement against the owner of a Warwick tree service company owner.

Velasquez was working for William J. Gorman, owner of Billy G’s Tree Care in Warwick, when the accident occurred in 2007.

Velasquez was not in court to hear the news. He returned to Mexico last month after being allowed to testify against Gorman in workers’ compensation court, in a nearly unprecedented case.

Before he left, however, Velasquez said he was hopeful that a judge’s preliminary ruling in his favor would result in a full settlement.

Velasquez was deported in 2007 after Gorman allegedly tipped off immigration authorities. However public pressure prodded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to issue a humanitarian visa that granted Velasquez a temporary return to Rhode Island.

Steven Dennis, whose law firm represents Velasquez, said he was not entirely happy with the settlement. He had originally sought in excess of $70,000 for his client.

-- Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:42 PM | Comment

Barrington couple charged with serving minors

BARRINGTON -- A local couple has been charged by police with illegally serving alcohol to minors during a New Year's Eve party at their home.

Gabriel A. Pacheco, 48, and Mary Lou Pacheco, 45, of 11 Northwest Passage, have become another example of the enforcement of the new social-host law designed to make adults responsible for the underage drinking that takes place under their noses.

Earlier this month, a 47-year-old Bristol woman was charged under the social host law in connection with a New Year’s Eve party at her home at which she allegedly poured drinks for some of the minors who attended.

It's also an example of how there are no secrets on the Internet.

The party came to the attention of police after 13 pictures of the Barrington imbibers, age 17 to 20, were posted on Facebook.com, the social networking site, under two different names.

One of the photos showed the Pachecos in the background. Others showed the youths in the basement playing ``beer pong,'' a drinking game.

The pictures had been widely distributed in town, according to police, who allege that the youth were drinking at least part of the time they were directly under the supervision of the Pachecos.

On Friday, police confronted the couple.

They were summoned to appear in Providence District Court on Jan. 23. The potential fine for the misdemeanor charge of purchasing or procuring alcohol for a minor is $350.

None of the seven party-goers have been charged, although police said they expect to call the parents of the local youths to the station and show them the photos.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

They included three Barrington High School students, all female, ages 17, 17 and 18; two other Barrington residents, a 19-year-old male and 20-year-old female; and two teens from out of town, a 17-year-old female and an 18-year-old male.

One of the girls in the picture caused a furor in town five months ago when she posted photographs of her party-going friends drinking beer in a Facebook group called "Intoxicate Oh-Eight," named after the high school class of '08. More than 17 percent of this year's senior class in Barrington High School belonged to the group.

Enforcing underage drinking has taken on new urgency in Barrington following two deaths and one near-death just since July.

The litany of serious alcohol-related cases has become all too familiar in town: Ryan Greenberg, awaiting trial for second-degree murder following the boating death of Patrick Murphy in July; Michael J. Silveira, now serving two years in the state Training School after he slammed his car into a tree in November, killing passenger Jonathan Converse, and the 17-year-old accused of eluding police in Colt State Park, Bristol, and nearly killing a pedestrian when he slammed his car in a stone wall.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:37 PM | Comment

No day off for the kids on Block Island

Not all of Rhode Island’s students got the day off today.

The New Shoreham School District – which is comprised of about 140 students at Block Island School – braved the weather for the sake of education.

But to be fair, the weather bore little resemblance to the snow seen on the mainland.

“Because we’re surrounded by that big body of water, it’s a lot warmer out here,” Marsha Gutierrez, assistant to the superintendent, said.

“There’s no snow on the ground,” she said.

That doesn’t mean it was a breeze getting to school. Gutierrez takes the ferry to work; the first one was canceled because of the nasty winds, rain, and even a few flurries.

The precipitation may have started as snow, she said, but it turned to rain quickly. And by lunchtime, even the rain had died down.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:53 PM | Comment

State steps up to avoid problems seen in Dec. storm

This was the biggest storm of the new year, but it didn’t carry the wallop or create the same problems as the storm of Dec. 13.

This storm arrived overnight and blew in over thinly trafficked roads. All schools in the state, with the exception of New Shoreham schools, were canceled because of the storm, said Brittan Bates, spokeswoman for the state Emergency Management Agency.

About 11,000 customers were reported to be without power this morning, and there were concerns about heavy, wet snow breaking tree limbs and downing power lines. No communities called the state Emergency Management Agency for assistance, Bates said.

After criticism about state leadership and communication in the last storm, Governor Carcieri held a news conference at the National Guard last night, and Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray, whom Carcieri has put in charge during weather emergencies, held news conferences about the storm at 6 and 10:30 this morning. Neither was around during the Dec. 13 storm – Carcieri was on a plane in the Middle East and Bray had called out sick that day.

“The biggest thing [that was different] for us is the coordination was more formal and more public,” Bates said.

Unlike the last storm, the state EMA wasn’t left on its own. Members of the Providence police and the state police worked in the Emergency Operations Center with the EMA staff handling logistics and planning. The EMA also offered seats to officials from the state Energy Office, Public Utilities and the American Red Cross of Rhode Island, but all three agencies declined, deciding to keep the state informed through up-to-date situational awareness reports, Bates said.

-- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

The state Department of Transportation also didn’t send any officials to the Emergency Operations Center, choosing instead to remain at its own multi-million dollar Traffic Management Center in Providence. The DOT also refused to come to the EOC during the last snowstorms, including the Dec. 13 storm.

Then-executive director Robert J. Warren had trouble getting information from the DOT that night; he told The Journal later that his calls to director Jerome Williams and others there weren’t answered. Warren dealt instead with Carcieri’s chief of staff, who was at the Transportation Management Center.

Warren had said that he was frustrated that he couldn’t compel DOT to send someone into the EOC to work with the emergency officials. The state EMA doesn’t have a direct link to the DOT traffic cameras – a persistent problem the agency hasn’t had the money to fix – so it accesses the cameras the same way as the public does, Bates said.

To fix the communication problems, the state DOT agreed to use the laptop communications system that links users directly into the Emergency Operations Center. And, the DOT gave the state EMA the number of critical phones that would be answered.

As happened during the Dec. 13 storm, the state police had extra troopers on the roads and more detectives in the barracks to handle volumes of calls during the storm, said Maj. Steven O’Donnell. The state police overlapped the night and day shifts, with 40 troopers on at peak times to handle the morning commute, and posted a trooper at the Thurbers Avenue curve on Route 95 in case of traffic problems, O’Donnell said.

As of early this afternoon, the state police were reporting seven accidents and 45 disabled motor vehicles that they’d handled during the storm – significantly fewer than the nearly 200 the state police had handled during the Dec. 13 storm.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:40 PM | Comment

Evidence release delays Narragansett smoke-shop trial

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge today delayed the trial of seven Narragansett Indian tribal members accused of fighting with state police as officers raided the tribe's smoke shop in Charlestown.

Judge Susan E. McGuirl delayed jury selection, which was scheduled to start Wednesday, because the state police released significant discovery materials on Friday afternoon.

The judge has not yet announced the new date for jury selection.

The defense lawyers are asking the judge to dismiss the case.

After efforts to establish a casino did not succeed, the tribe opened a smoke shop on tribal land on Route 2 on July 12, 2003. Shortly after state lawmakers ended their legislative session without agreeing to put a gambling question on the ballot, the tribe began selling cigarettes from the store at bargain prices because they were not charging state taxes. Tribal leaders said they were carrying out their right to self-government.

On July 14, state police used a search and seizure warrant at Governor Carcieri’s order. However, the raid became a violent confrontation, captured on television, in the parking area that led to eight Narragansetts, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, being arrested and at least eight state troopers and Indians injured.

Criminal cases waited more than three years as federal courts figured out state jurisdiction over the tribe’s 1,800 Charlestown acres. The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling that the state can enforce its laws on the Narragansetts’ settlement lands, and so the case is proceeding.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:45 PM | Comment

MySpace, AGs agree on safeguards for young site users

Social networking giant MySpace.com has reached an agreement with 45 states – including Rhode Island -- to adapt new safeguards to better regulate who is able to use the site.

The News Corp.-owned Web site has agreed to a host of security changes, most of which are aimed at limiting the availability of younger members’ profile information.

Children younger than 14 are not supposed to register with the Web site, which allows people to network with other members by sharing pictures, blogs and other information.

The company has agreed to let parents submit their children’s e-mail addresses so that they cannot be used to set up accounts; making the default setting on 16- and 17-year-olds’ profiles “private,” so only their friends can see them; and responding within 72 hours to any complaints of inappropriate content.

“This is an important outcome because of the specific and quantifiable steps that MySpace has agreed to take,” Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a statement. “I am confident that it will foster a safer online experience for teenagers and other young people who use MySpace.”

The agreement comes after almost two years of discussions between MySpace and attorneys general across the country about how to improve security after a number of reports of sexual predators using the Web site for inappropriate contact with minors.

The company also agreed to create a task force to research new ways to verify the ages and identities' of potential registrants, and a host of more general security measures.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:38 PM | Comment

Federal agency gives Cape wind farm preliminary OK

WASHINGTON — A key federal agency has given preliminary environmental approval to a proposed wind farm off Cape Cod.

A report by the Minerals Management Service released today says plans by developer Cape Wind Associates to build 130 windmills across 25 miles of federal waters in Nantucket Sound would pose no major environmental problems.

The agency is expected to make a final decision on the project later this year.

Supporters say the project is a safe, clean way to create renewable energy and new jobs. Opponents fear possible environmental and economic effects on Cape Cod’s tourist and fishing industries.

Various federal and state agencies have been reviewing the plan to build the nation’s first offshore wind farm since November 2001.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:34 PM | Comment

Bob Enos, trumpeter for Roomful of Blues, dies at 60

Trumpeter Bob Enos, a member of Rhode Island blues legends Roomful of Blues, died early Friday morning while on tour with the band in Douglas, Ga., according to a statement from the band. He was 60.

His bio on the band's Web site describes Enos this way:

"Bob "Bubba" Enos, long a mainstay of the band, puts the sparkle on top of Roomful’s legendary horn section.

"His energetic, searing attack, whether soloing or as part of the ensemble, makes the band’s sound immediately identifiable."

A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Enos had played with The Platters and other New England soul, R & B, and jazz outfits before joining Roomful.

-- Journal pop music writer Rick Massimo

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:10 PM | Comment

Committee to review Carcieri's choice for Revenue post

The Senate Committee on Finance is scheduled to consider the nomination of Gary S. Sasse to head the newly created Department of Revenue.

Sasse, of East Greenwich, was the executive director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council for 30 years. Governor Carcieri nominated Sasse to the $130,000 –a-year revenue director position in early November.

If Sasse’s nomination is approved by the Finance Committee, it moves to the full Senate for Advice and Consent.

The hearing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the State House, Room 211, and is open to the public.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:23 AM | Comment

Wyclef Jean show at Lupo's postponed due to weather

The Wyclef Jean show originally scheduled for tonight at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St., Providence, has been postponed to tomorrow night at 8 because of the weather. All tickets for the original date will be honored tomorrow night, or you can get a refund before tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tickets ($35) are still on sale at the box office, all FYE stores and at www.etix.com. For more information, call (401) 331-5876.

-- Journal pop music writer Rick Massimo

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:20 AM | Comment

Judge to decide fate of historic Providence terminal

A Superior Court judge is expected to decide at 2:30 p.m. whether Carpionato Properties can demolish the food and produce terminal on Harris Avenue, Providence.

The state is trying to stop the developer from razing the historic building behind Providence Place mall.

Carpionato, a Johnston developer, this week sought and received an emergency demolition permit to raze the historic 1929 building, arguing that it poses a risk to public safety. Carpionato wants to erect a combination of commercial and hotel buildings at the site, which it bought from the state early last year.

The move shocked state officials, who thought that the terms of the sale protected the building from demolition. The state sold the property at a below-market price on the condition that Carpionato reuse the building.

On Thursday, state lawyers rushed to court to seek an order preventing Carpionato from destroying the terminal building.

Judge Michael Silverstein heard arguments from lawyers this morning and said he would issue his decision at 2:30 p.m.

-- With reports from Journal staff photogapher Andrew Dickerman and information from previous Journal reports

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:18 AM | Comment

Snow slows, big freeze ahead

The snow is expected to keep falling through early afternoon, but there’s no more significant accumulation expected.

So far this morning, snow accumulation totals range from about 2 inches at T. F. Green Airport to more than 5 inches farther inland.

“I’m certainly not going to characterize this as a blockbuster storm or anything,” Charles Foley, meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said. And from here on out, he said there won’t be activity of consequence “just some nuisance flurries.”

But looking ahead, this snow – coupled with fairly average temperatures – may not look so bad.

“The next significant feature that is on our plate is going to be a return to very arctic temperatures,” Foley said.

He’s talking about temperatures – high temperatures – in the 20s by the end of the week and over the weekend.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:48 AM | Comment

Gas prices drop 2 cents

Gas prices in the Ocean State dropped two cents last week after increasing the previous two weeks, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.119 at the self-service pumps, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The price in Rhode Island is four cents above the national average.

At this time last year, the average price was $2.359 in Rhode Island.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:24 AM | Comment

Foster man, 21, killed in crash Sunday

The police are investigating a fatal accident that killed a 21-year-old Foster man early yesterday.

According to a statement issued by the police department, a caller notified the police of a possible accident near 16 Mt. Hygeia Road, Foster, at about 6 a.m.

When police and rescue officials responded, they found Alexander A.Fasanya of East Killingly Road.

According to the police statement, Fasanya had been driving north on Mt.Hygeia Road when he crossed the centerline, and hit a tree and a utility pole.

Fasanya had internal injuries. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and later pronounced dead.

The accident is still under investigation.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:17 AM | Comment

Photo: Fixing a utility pole

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Crews replace a utility pole after an accident on Greenville Ave., Johnston.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:57 AM | Comment

Photo: Road blocked

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
A driver finds his path blocked by a downed branch on Highland Avenue in North Providence during this morning's snowstorm.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:38 AM | Comment

Photo: An early coating

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
A early morning snow scene on Simon syles Road in Lincoln during the snowstorm this morning.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:31 AM | Comment

Winter fun on sleds and skates

If you have kids at home, chances are they won't be going to school today. But they don't have to spend the day inside.

Kidoinfo.com, a blog devoted to activities for parents and kids in Rhode Island, has posted a list of prime sledding hills, submitted by users.

There's also ice skating across the state, beyond the Bank of America City Center Rink, downtown.

Check the ski conditions across the region and the country at projo.com.

And even though school is out, kids can learn a lesson in civic responsibility while enjoying their own winter wonderland: have them help shovel the sidewalks.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:29 AM | Comment

Power outages across the state

Across the state, heavy, slushy sleet is weighing down power lines, causing disruptions to tens of thousands of homes.

In Rhode Island, about 10,500 National Grid customers are without power this morning, according to the company's spokesman, David Graves. And throughout New England, he said, the number reaches more than 30,000.

The hardest hit cities and towns include Cumberland, with 1963 outages; Burrillville, with 1692 outages; Lincoln, with 1,624 outages; Smithfield, with 1318 outages; and Johnston with 1,006 outages.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:54 AM | Comment

Photo: 'Day off' with a shovel

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Dan Guilmette, age 17, enjoys his day off from school by shoveling out the driveway of his family's Louisquisset Pike home during the snowstorm this morning.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:38 AM | Comment

Winter skies quieter over New England

A winter storm storm is making travel difficult.

More than a dozen arriving and departing flights have been cancelled at T. F. Green Airport so far this morning. Check the latest flight information on the airport's Web site

About 100 flights scheduled to arrive of depart Logan International Airport in Boston have been canceled or delayed. Check current flight status on Logan's Web site.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:33 AM | Comment

Storm leads to school, other cancellations

Today's storm has led to widespread closings in the Ocean State.

Check here for a list of closings.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Winter weather returns

As if we didn't know already, the National Weather Service is calling for a winter storm today, with expected accumulation of up to 5 inches around the state.

Already in Cranston, an early rising Journal reporter has measured about two inches of accumulation. He sees light snow piled atop heavy slush. It's difficult to shovel, he said, but makes great snowballs.

That may be good news for kids today, many of whom will get the day off. Check the projo.com closings and delays Web site to see school closings, parking bans and other delays and other weather related closings.

Temperatures should climb just to the freezing point today, with a north wind between 10 and 17 mph.

There's a slight chance that the snow may continue unto the evening, when temperatures drop to the low 20s and winds calming to about 6 mph.

Tomorrow may also bring more snow in the morning and early afternoon. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 30s and northwest winds should reach about 9 mph.

-- with reports from Journal staff writer Gene Emery

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features a story on the continuing problems at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment