Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Taking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day

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The first 25 words

Today's latest news at a glance


Lawyer David L. Spector faces ethics complaints

6:01 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Tracy Breton    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- David L. Spector, a lawyer from Needham, Mass., is under investigation in Massachusetts and Rhode Island regarding allegations that he took more......



Scituate driver held on 19th suspended-license charge

5:31 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- A Scituate driver who was arrested earlier this week on a 19th charge of driving on a suspended license, and who was......



Testimony: Fiancée saw no doctors examining Woods

5:18 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (3)
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

By John Hill Journal Staff Writer WARWICK, R.I. -- The fiancée of the late Michael Woods testified in Kent County Superior Court Friday that she......



Odd-feeling R.I. weather averages out around normal

rink_weather.jpg 4:32 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

Providence Journal photo / Bob Thayer Wayne Jankura of the Providence Parks Department rakes leaves off the watery surface of the Bank of America......



Update: All quiet at Cumberland High School after alert

4:20 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (6)
By News staff    Email

By Michael McKinney and Maria Armental Journal Staff Writers CUMBERLAND, R.I. -- Graffiti involving a bomb threat, discovered this week in two bathrooms at Cumberland......



Carcieri may wait to pick R.I. Supreme Court justice

4:00 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Tracy Breton    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri intends to interview each of the five finalists for an open seat on the state Supreme Court before making the......



2 beams set for new bridge over Route 95, more to come

OVERPASS WELD MM.JPG 3:42 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Bruce Landis    Email

A welder works Friday morning in the rain on what will be the Clifford Street overpass over Route 95. The highway was closed Thursday......



RI DOT removing split lanes on Rte. 95 in W. Greenwich

3:36 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will remove the split-lane traffic pattern this weekend on Route 95 South, shortly after Exit 6......



Brown University unveils supercomputer

2:49 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (5)
By Alex Kuffner    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brown University on Friday unveiled a new supercomputer that is the most powerful machine of its kind in Rhode Island. The multimillion-dollar......



Barrington teens caught drinking at leadership conference

2:33 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (9)
By Linda Borg    Email

BARRINGTON, R.I. -- Six Barrington High School students have been suspended after getting caught drinking in their hotel room while attending a national leadership conference......



Med. examiner: Fall didn't cause baby Naiomi's injuries

2:22 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By News staff    Email

By Talia Buford Journal Staff Writer NEWPORT, R.I. -- The injuries that ultimately killed six-week-old Naiomi McCoy earlier this year could not have been caused......



Investors sue lawyer Rothstein in fraud probe for $100M

2:17 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

By Curt Anderson AP Legal Affairs Writer MIAMI, Fla. -- Investors claiming they were fleeced by a high-profile attorney filed a $100 million lawsuit Friday......



Update: Hearing set on questioning of judge in lawsuit

1:20 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (4)
By Katherine Gregg    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Carcieri administration has mounted a legal campaign to keep new Superior Court Judge Brian Stern, a former head of state purchasing......



RI regulators strip Yellow Cab of half its taxis

1:04 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Paul Edward Parker    Email

The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers on Friday yanked the license for half of Yellow Cab's fleet and fined the company $100,000......



RI jobless rate still 3rd worst in nation, worst in region

12:04 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (4)
By Cynthia Needham    Email

Rhode Island's unemployment rate may have dropped to 12.9 percent from 13 percent in October, but it's still the third highest in the country. Figures......



Update: Driver in Cranston fatal charged with DUI

12:02 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (19)
By Kate Bramson    Email

By Tatiana Pina and Kate Bramson Journal Staff Writers WARWICK, R.I. -- Hours after a fatal crash in Cranston that killed one of his friends......



RI gasoline, diesel, heating oil prices stabilize

Heating Oil prices.jpg 11:27 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By C. Eugene Emery Jr.    Email

Providence Journal chart / C. Eugene Emery Jr. PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Average prices for heating oil, diesel and unleaded gasoline remained virtually unchanged from......



Update: Providence rink opening delayed until Saturday

wk1220_skate_new_12-20-07_I.JPG 10:58 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Journal file/ photo Skaters take a spin during opening ceremonies for the rink in November 1998. PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The outdoor skating rink at......



Oakland Beach man accused of dealing pot from home

10:33 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (3)
By Amanda Milkovits    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- An Oakland Beach man was arrested Thursday for allegedly dealing marijuana out of his home. Juan J. Scott, 23, tried to flush......



Teen accused of skipping school, robbing Warwick bank

10:21 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (3)
By Amanda Milkovits    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- A local 17-year-old boy is accused of robbing the Coastway Community Bank branch at 2089 Warwick Ave. late Thursday morning. Capt. Sean......



Accident in downtown Providence injures one, snarls traffic

9:43 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Linda Borg    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A two-car collision near Providence Place Mall stalled traffic Friday morning and sent one person to a hospital with minor injuries. The......



Judge approves $100K to Attleboro girl injured by cop

9:30 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) -- A judge has approved a $100,000 settlement from the city of Attleboro to a teenage girl who claims her wrist......



Flood-like conditions slow the morning commute

8:59 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Kate Bramson    Email

Rhode Island commuters Friday morning are dealing with heavy rain and flooding conditions around the state. In Providence, large puddles on Allens Avenue and in......



Lizzie Borden acquitted in mock retrial

lizzieborden.JPG 8:37 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) -- Lizzie Borden has been found innocent of using an ax to hack her father and stepmother to death - again.......



36 to graduate from RI State Police Academy Friday

8:34 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Kate Bramson    Email

LINCOLN, R.I. -- Thirty-six police recruits stood out among 1,923 applicants. On Friday, those 36 will be sworn in as members of the Rhode Island......



Fundraiser to help send 4 Special Olympians to nationals

7:47 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Donita Naylor    Email

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Four athletes selected by their coaches to represent Rhode Island in the Special Olympics Nationals in Lincoln, Neb., next year will appear......



Friday's Providence Journal front page

frontpage_20091120.jpg 7:05 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Jack Perry    Email

Friday's Providence Journal front page reports that the state's unemployment rate has dipped for the first time in nearly three years. Providence poet Keith......



Thunderstorms - that's right, thunderstorms - are possible

7:04 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Jack Perry    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A thunderstorm? Seriously? It's November, not July. The National Weather Service is serious. We could see a thunderstorm Friday, according to its......



Today in history: Police bust stolen-car ring

6:05 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

On the local front: A year ago today: Rhode Island's unemployment rate last month climbed to 9.3 percent, the highest since 1983, as job cuts......



R.I. state trooper cleared in smoke-shop raid appeal

6:27 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (6)
By Maria Armental    Email

BOSTON, Mass. -- A federal appeals court Thursday upheld a lower court decision clearing a Rhode Island State Police trooper of wrongdoing in connection to......



Training drill envisions breach of Scituate Reservoir dam

6:00 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Gregory Smith    Email

CRANSTON -- An explosion and a break in the main dam at the Scituate Reservoir. A wall of water moving down the north branch of......



R.I. eliminates mandatory minimum drug sentences

5:55 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) --- A new law eliminating mandatory minimum drug sentences in Rhode Island has taken effect without the governor's signature. Governor Carcieri had......



With less cash, 10 percent fewer study abroad at Brown

5:43 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By News staff    Email

By Michelle R. Smith Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Economic reality and money problems may be cooling the enthusiasm of U.S. college students to study......



Vanderbilt Hall hotel in Newport, R.I., sold for $5.7 million

5:03 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Paul Edward Parker    Email

NEWPORT, R.I. -- A downtown building that was constructed in 1909 as a YMCA and became a hotel in 1997 has been sold. According to......



RI revokes certification of teacher after DUI incident

4:51 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (18)
By Jennifer D. Jordan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- In a rare move, state Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist has revoked the teaching certification of a Bristol-Warren teacher who pleaded no......



Update: Copper theft forces power cutoffs to 5,000 in R.I.

4:40 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (3)
By C. Eugene Emery Jr.    Email

National Grid said spent Thursday cutting off power to 5,000 customers so it could replace copper ground wire stolen from its Smithfield substation, just off......



Mays painting, guest book on display at R.I. State House

4:31 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A reproduction print of Maxwell Mays' painting "Inauguration Day" will be displayed in the State Room of the State House through Nov.......



Annual mammograms covered by most RI insurers

4:26 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Richard Salit    Email

In response to reports questioning the effectiveness of mammography, the state Health Commissioner announced on Thursday that Rhode Island law still requires health insurers to......



Carcieri says RI funeral planning agent law already exists

4:17 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (12)
By Maria Armental    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- In the aftermath of the Governor's veto of legislation that would have given domestic partners the right to make funeral decisions for......



Providence Place mall owner restructures debt

4:15 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Paul Grimaldi    Email

The owner of the Providence Place mall said Thursday that it has reached a deal with some of its lenders, allowing a number of its......



Men from N.Y., Providence sentenced in weapons cases

4:10 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A federal judge has sentenced two men to prison for being felons in possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced......



N. Providence man to sue Newport over Taser incident

4:00 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Maria Armental    Email

NEWPORT, R.I. -- A North Providence man has filed a notice of intent to sue the city of Newport over an incident on Sept. 11......



RI NAACP chief denies ACI inmate connected with group

3:30 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

CRANSTON, R.I. -- An inmate at the Adult Correctional Institutions who claimed to be the president of the Statewide Prison Chapter of the NAACP in......



RI chief justice says no plans for private trials at this time

3:29 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Tracy Breton    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell says the court has no immediate plans to implement a controversial law that would allow people......



Update: Double dose of 'Twilight' in some R.I. theaters

2:46 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

By Bryan Rourke Journal arts writer "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," the follow-up to "Twilight," opens in theaters at midnight on Thursday. The new movie,......



United Way grant will help RI residents with finances

2:36 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Paul Davis    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Financially struggling Rhode Islanders could get help soon from a $1.6 million grant from United Way of Rhode Island. The money will......



30-year-old conviction in high-profile kidnaping upheld

2:19 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By W. Zachary Malinowski    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Supreme Court has refused to grant post-conviction relief to a former golf pro who was found guilty on a variety......



Update: Green Airport says delays expected today

2:05 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

By Kate Bramson Journal Staff Writer and The Associated Press WARWICK, R.I. -- The air traffic equipment failure that has delayed flights around the country......



Mom testifies at hearing on Newport baby's death

1:42 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Maria Armental    Email

By Talia Buford Journal Staff Writer NEWPORT, R.I. -- When she first arrived at the hospital last January, Katysha Lopez told the court Thursday, she......



U.S. says fewer N.E. workplace deaths in 2008; 6 in R.I.

1:42 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Associated Press A federal agency says 136 people died in New England from work-related injuries last year, 27 fewer than in the previous year and......



Judge takes license from motorcyclist charged in fatal crash

1:23 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Maria Armental    Email

By Talia Buford Journal Staff Writer NEWPORT, R.I. -- A motorcyclist who crashed his Harley Davidson in June, killing his passenger, was ordered to give......



Man pleads guilty in Providence, Newport bank heists

1:17 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Dennis Tasker, 38, of Providence, pleaded guilty Thursday to robbing banks in Providence and Newport in July by using threatening notes,......



Providence to sell recycling bins Saturday

1:13 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (4)
By News staff    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- City residents who still need recycling bins will be able to buy them Saturday at five locations. Under a new recycling policy......



Lawyer cross-examines in Michael Woods death case

1:10 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

By John Hill Journal Staff Writer WARWICK, R.I. -- A lawyer for Kent Hospital continued his cross examination Thursday morning of an expert witness hired......



Lawyer Cicilline asks court for son's early prison release

12:47 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (11)
By News staff    Email

BOSTON, Mass. -- Rhode Island lawyer John F. "Jack" Cicilline went to U.S. District Court in Boston Thursday morning in a bid to get his......



Providence poet Waldrop wins National Book Award

WALDROP_05_CG.JPG 12:12 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (6)
By News staff    Email

Waldrop Providence poet Keith Waldrop's "Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy" has won the National Book Award for poetry. Judges praised Waldrop's work for demonstrating "language's......



R.I., Woonsocket police probe removal of hard drives

12:02 PM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Tatiana Pina    Email

WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The state police are helping the Woonsocket police with an investigation into the removal of two hard drives from computers from the......



Driver sought in Swansea stolen car case

11:37 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

SWANSEA, Mass. -- The police have obtained an arrest warrant charging a Fall River man with possession of a stolen car and other violations after......



RI woman charged in theft from school meal program

8:54 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (4)
By News staff    Email

EAST LYME, Conn. (AP) -- Authorities say a Rhode Island woman's gambling debts led her to embezzle almost $335,000 from the company that runs East......



Cool temperatures lower Mass. cranberry harvest

Mashpee Cranberries(2).JPG 8:09 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

AP Photo/Cape Cod Times/ Merrily Lunsford Ken Williamson rakes cranberries during the wet harvest at Willowbend Country Club Sept. 30, 2009 in Mashpee, Mass.......



Good Samaritan helping disabled boat off Block Island

7:40 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Kate Bramson    Email

A Good Samaritan vessel is on its way to assist a disabled fishing vessel about 12 miles south of Block Island that asked for help......



Warwick board OKs hotel-retail complex near airport

7:25 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Barbara Polichetti    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- An ambitious plan to build a hotel, parking garage and complex of buildings that will combine office and retail space on Jefferson......



East Greenwich board 'Greene-lights' condos

7:09 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Comments (7)
By C. Eugene Emery Jr.    Email

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- A 15-unit condominium project that will provide some sorely needed affordable housing to the town was unanimously approved by the Planning......



Thursday's Providence Journal front page

frontpage_20091119.jpg 7:01 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Thursday's Providence Journal front page reports that a Barrington man was captain of the Maersk Alabama when pirates tried taking over the ship for......



Increasing clouds, high near 58

7:00 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Live local radar More weather... PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Clouds will increase Thursday, but the temperature should reach 58 degrees, a little higher than normal......



Today in history: Trial starts in toddler's death

historyDelestre.JPG 6:05 AM Thu, Nov 19, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

On the local front: Journal file photo/ Kathy Borchers Lawyer Robert Mann (left) sits with his client, Gilbert Delestre, during Delestre's trial. A year ago......



Update: Seekonk sailor would consider Ohio Somali invite

shane_murphy_150.jpg 7:28 PM Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

SEEKONK, Mass. -- Attention Shane Murphy: The Somali Community Association of Ohio wants to take you out to dinner and seeks your help in forming......



Swine flu seems to have peaked in Rhode Island

6:40 PM Wed, Nov 18, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Felice Freyer    Email

projo.com / Timothy C. Barmann New data from the R.I. Department of Health shows a dramatic spike in emergency room visits for flu-like symptoms......