2016-07-24

WEST BAY

Neighbors disenchanted with airport

LED lighting may be saving the Rhode Island Airport Corporation hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s given some neighbors of Green Airport an eternal day. And that’s not all. At a Ward 3 community meeting Tuesday evening, Strawberry Field Road West homeowners complained of increased late night flights, the placement of a dumpster and port-a-john across the street from their homes, and how trees and plastic curtains that once shielded the neighborhood from light, noise and jet fumes are gone. The Warwick Beacon has more on the problems and some of the solutions the airport is considering.

A ‘new’ Dave’s at Hoxsie

Over the decades Hoxsie Four Corners has been the home to a farm, retail outlets, and service stations. Since the 1950s it has been the venue for a supermarket primarily serving the neighborhoods of Hoxsie and Governor Francis Farms. The supermarket has seen changes. It was Almacs until 1995 when Great American bought the store chain and it closed soon thereafter. But in its history as a supermarket, no makeover has been so dramatic as that nearing completion as a Dave’s Marketplace. The Warwick Beacon has the details.

Cranston native makes it to Broadway with ‘Hamilton’

“I love theater as an art form,” Cranston native Mike Moise said. “Everyone has their own piece to bring, and when we all collaborate we can create something much larger than ourselves, something we get to put out into the world for people to enjoy.” Moise brings a musical contribution to that equation, and of late he has been doing so as substitute conductor for what has become a cultural phenomenon – the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton.” The Cranston Herald has more on Moise’s journey.

SOUTH COUNTY

Westerly teacher absenteeism down, but still a ‘serious concern’

Teacher absenteeism, by one measure, has noticeably declined since the 2013-14 school year, according to data the district gave the School Committee on Wednesday. Still, 36 percent of Westerly’s teachers missed at least 10 days during this past school year, compared with 52 percent in the earlier reporting period. The school committee chairman told The Westerly Sun the numbers are troubling. The paper has more on what steps the district is taking to get to the bottom of the issue.

Richmond planning for new police station

The days of making do in a sub-standard building may be ending soon for Richmond’s 13-member police force. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, council President Henry Oppenheimer announced that the town was in the process of purchasing land near the Town Hall in order to build a new police station. What’s the timeline and the price tag? The Westerly Sun has the details.

CHS revamping social studies curriculum

Robert Whittaker, chair of the social studies department, brought the school committee up to school on changes to Chariho High School’s social studies curriculum. He said each class would take a thematic approach — with topics including international relations, civil rights and war — rather than chronological, to address the difficulties teachers were having addressing current events. The Chariho Times has the details.

Nice terror attacks spark field trip concerns

Concerns about terrorism were among the Chariho School Committee’s first orders of business at its recent meeting, with members questioning security arrangements for a three-day field trip that seniors have been taking to Quebec City for several years. The Westerly Sun has more on the security steps being taken.

BLACKSTONE VALLEY

Pawtucket firm wants swing at McCoy study

Michael Leshinsky is hoping the fact that his Warwick-based Leshinsky Finance LLC has an office in Pawtucket, where he lives with his wife Amy and two young daughters, will give him a substantial leg to stand on when it comes to studying the future of McCoy Stadium, the home of the Pawtucket Red Sox, and the land that surrounds the 74-year-old structure. The Pawtucket Times has the details on the other company’s bidding.

War monument gets donation from Mondor widow

Presently the director of “21 Heroes Inc.” – a non-profit corporation called that seeks to create a monument that lists the names and ranks of the 21 former Pawtucket residents who were killed in the Vietnam War between May 21, 1966 and June 9, 1971 -Terry Nau on Monday received a generous $5,000 contribution from Madeleine Mondor, the widow of Ben Mondor. The Pawtucket Times has more on how the late Paw Sox owner served as the inspiration for the project.

Tax credits boost Le Moulin restoration

NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley has been awarded a $3.25 million package of historic tax credits from the Division of Taxation to help finance the restoration of the Woonsocket Rubber Company/Falls Yarn Mill complex located at 68 South Main St. The complex of Market Square Mill buildings encompasses about 70,000 square feet of space which, until recently, may have been better known as the Le Moulin arts village. The Woonsocket Call has more on what’s planned for the project.

‘Polka King’ taking over Bouley Field

Quick, grab your field glasses – the meteors of Hollywood are streaking across the city again next week. The film crew from “The Polka King” has been approved for a speedy, three-day takeover of Bouley Field starting next Thursday. The Woonsocket Call has more on where the shooting is most likely to take place.

NORTHWEST

The North Providence Police Department is in turmoil. Officers complain about a “hostile and fearful working environment” headed by a man who “takes joy” in emulating Darth Vader. The mayor and police administrators say crime is down, the officers are “babyish” and should just focus on doing their jobs. The Providence Journal Reporter Jacqueline Tempera takes a look at this contentious situation,

Movies in the Park a hit in Johnston

“I would say our investment in the big screen was a great investment,” Glenn Carroll said last Saturday night. “I was particularly impressed with the quality of the picture on the screen.” Carroll issued that statement after the debut of the Johnston Community Center Association’s (JCCA) Movies in the Park, which attracted 200-plus people and included free popcorn and bottled water. The Johnston Sun Rise has more on the event and what movie’s coming up next.

EAST BAY

Star power heating up Newport Folk Festival

Patti Smith may be better known for her writing these days than for her music. (She won a National Book Award for “Just Kids,” a memoir of her early friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.) But after an incendiary closing set at the Newport Folk Festival on Saturday, her power as a performer can’t be denied. The Providence Journal has more on her set filled with tributes, plus more on the rest of the event.

PROVIDENCE

Panhandling skyrockets after enforcement ceases

Street corners and medians are full of people “flying a sign” after an ACLU lawsuit suppressed enforcement of anti-panhandler laws. The Providence Journal takes a look at this problem and the finger pointing that’s since ensued.

More than weed at cannabis festival

The Medical Cannabis Festival on Saturday featured soundtracks from Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead as people perused the merchandise. Hand-blown, $250 art-glass pipes, wooden “pot pockets,” funky jewelry and a display poster for “Train Wreck Strain” of marijuana. But beyond the paraphernalia and free prizes lay serious concerns — and information — about accessible, affordable medical marijuana for people in need. The Providence Journal has more.

SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS

Fall River eyed for several medical marijuana facilities

Trees will fall to make room for marijuana plants in the biopark. Cannatech Medicinals, a medical marijuana company, is set to clear 12 acres on Innovation Way, right next to the Amazon facility, for a 40,000 square foot building to house a marijuana growing and processing facility. As The Fall River Herald News Reports, Cannatech is one of several companies exploring the possibility of establishing facilities in the city.

Local business owners lament loss of tax holiday

Picture dollar bills, equipped with wings, flying away from Pleasant Street. That is the image George Saber sees when he hears that the state Legislature will not offer a sales tax holiday this year. The Fall River Herald News has more on the reasoning, plus details why local retailers may feel the pinch more than national outfits.

Show more