Cities and Towns

Update: Settlement in divorce involving ex-chief judge's driver

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 8 hours ago

By W. Zachary Malinowski PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A tentative divorce agreement was reached Tuesday afternoon between Pamela J. DosReis, a deputy sheriff and former driver for former R.I. Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, and her estranged husband. The terms of the settlement were announced in a conference in the chambers of Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr. Under the agreement,...

R.I. deficit projected at $200 million for current year

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 4 hours ago

PROVIDENCE –– Having barely recovered from the last budget battle, state leaders on Tuesday learned that Rhode Island’s battered economy is largely responsible for creating another gaping budget hole. This one, conservatively projected at $200 million for the fiscal year that began July 1, was agreed upon by the state’s top budget officials in what has become a painful annual...

R.I. governor vetoes 'domestic partners' burial-rights bill

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 10 hours ago

By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- An opponent of same-sex marriage, Governor Carcieri has vetoed bill that would have added "domestic partners'' to the list of people authorized by law to make funeral arrangements for each other. In his veto message , Republican Carcieri said: "This bill represents a distributing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles...

Station fire settlements being reviewed by lawyer for minors

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 10 hours ago

By Tracy Breton PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A court-appointed special master said in court Tuesday that he's reviewed what each of the Station nightclub victims is slated to get from the $176 million that's been offered to settle their lawsuits as well as what each of them may owe in attorney's fees and expenses. The lawyer, William A. Poore, told U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. Martin that by Nov. 23, he will...

Texting-while-driving ban signed into R.I. law

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11 hours ago

By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. _ With the stroke of Governor Carcieri's pen, it is now illegal to text-message while driving in Rhode Island. Sending, reading or writing a text message, such as an e-mail or instant message, with any kind of data-transmission device while operating a moving motor vehicle would be punishable at the Traffic Tribunal by a fine of $85 on first offense, $100 on second...

Carcieri vetoes bills to limit use of tracking devices

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11 hours ago

By Bruce Landis PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have limited the way government uses electronic devices that allow tracking people and objects like motor vehicles, something privacy advocates are concerned about. The governor's veto messages on two similar bills objected that they would prevent school officials from using radio-frequency identification...

Rep. Patrick Kennedy responds to bishop's criticism

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11 hours ago

By Donita Naylor By Karen Lee Ziner Journal Staff Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rep. Patrick Kennedy says he finds it "very disconcerting" that Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will not agree to keep private a discussion about Kennedy's faith. Talking with reporters Tuesday in response to an open letter to Kennedy published Monday on the Web site of the diocesan newspaper the Rhode Island...

Settlement in divorce involving ex-chief judge's driver

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 13 hours ago

By W. Zachary Malinowski PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A tentative divorce agreement was reached this afternoon between Pamela J. DosReis, a deputy sheriff and former driver for former Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, and her estranged husband. The terms of the settlement were announced in a conference in the chambers of Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr. Under the agreement, Pamela...

Providence murder suspect was out on bail for assault

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 13 hours ago

By Amanda Milkovits PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Coventry man accused of strangling a woman in her apartment on Saturday was out on bail for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl only months ago. Travis Garcia had just turned 18 in March when he was arrested for backing a teenage acquaintance into the corner of a building in Coventry and forcibly fondling her, said Coventry Police Capt. Bryan Volpe. He...

List of Governor Carcieri's 22 vetoes issued Tuesday

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 13 hours ago

By News staff PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri announced Tuesday that he has vetoed 22 of the scores of bills passed by lawmakers in their two-day special session at the end of October. Last week, the governor announced the veto of a fee for saltwater fishing licenses . It's possible he may issue more vetoes. Here is the governor's list of bills most recently vetoed, linked to his messages explaining...

Update: Governor Carcieri vetoes 22 bills

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 15 hours ago

By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri has vetoed 22 of the scores of bills passed by lawmakers in their hectic, two-day special session at the end of October, including legislation stripping the governor of his power to appoint a replacement for a U.S. senator who dies or leaves office in mid-term. Known as the "Blagojevich bill," the law seeks to remedy the problems that...

Suspect in RI slaying arrested in Conn.

Boston Herald (Free subscription) | 18 hours ago

PROVIDENCE R.I. - Police have identified a suspect in the weekend slaying of a Providence woman. Police in Clinton, Conn. arrested 18-year-old Travis Garcia after he was...

State will press for thorough '10 count

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 19 hours ago

PROVIDENCE — During the last census in 2000, 67 percent returned their questionnaires by mail. Next year, the 2010 Rhode Island Complete Count Committee wants to improve on the past to make sure every Rhode Islander gets counted. “The census is one of the most important activities we can participate in” as citizens and residents of the United States, said committee Chairman Peter...

Another warm November day

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 19 hours ago

By Jack Perry Live local radar More weather... PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Southern New Englanders can enjoy another unseasonably warm day Tuesday. The temperature could reach 67 degrees today, about the same as yesterday, although, unlike yesterday, clouds will obscure the sky, according to the National Weather Service. The normal high for this date is 54 degrees. The record of 73 was set in1999. The temperature...

Bishop again attacks Kennedy over abortion stand in health-care reform

Providence Journal (Free subscription) | yesterday