Publication

Smoke

yellow,” said Brent Williams, head of the soil, water and climate department at the University of Minnesota. The area “could be looking at weeks to months of continued smoke and flare-ups off and on as the winds blow in different directions,” he...

BUILDING RHODE ISLAND

PAWTUCKET – In front of dozens of Rhode Island union laborers, assorted elected officials and numerous other business people, Gov. Dan McKee held a ceremonial bill signing for two construction-related pieces of legislation at the future site of the new...

Mayor, City Council agree — 'Woonie Crit' was a huge success

WOONSOCKET — During the “public comment” portion of the City Council meeting on Monday night, Sean Clark, an avid Woonsocket cyclist and member/ambassador of the Tri-State Cycling Club, addressed the board about the “Woonie Crit” cycling event held in...

A LOOK AT HISTORY

WOONSOCKET — Area residents interested in viewing an early copy of the Declaration of Independence lined up outside the Museum of Work & Culture for a time on Saturday as part of Rhode Island’s observances of the 250th Anniversary of the nation’s...

‘GO GET ’EM, DAVID’

WOONSOCKET – Muriel Dubois sat in an office chair just in front of a huge bay door at the Woonsocket Fire Department Station 2 on Friday afternoon and used a tissue to dab her eyes. She had just watched Fire Chief Bob Cahill, Mayor Chris Beauchamp and...

‘Jackie Robinson of Women’s Soccer’ visits with city students

PAWTUCKET — Describing herself as the Jackie Robinson of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, Kim Crabbe came to the city not to tout her accolades and the honors that she’s received. Standing at a podium, Crabbe told an audience of middle school...

RI artists look to showcase work at Wickford Art Festival

NORTH KINGSTOWN — Art lovers and artists alike will gather at Wilson Park this weekend for the 63rd annual Wickford Art Festival. Heather Schold, Wickford Art Festival director, said the festival serves as a yearly celebration of fine art, artists and...

RI designer aims to bring sustainable fashion to ‘Project Runway’

Another Rhode Islander is about to make her national television debut, and she is doing it with soda can tabs, bubble wrap and old newspapers. Anna Molinari, 27, of New York City, spent part of her teenage years in Jamestown while her father served in...

Carcifero becomes Woonsocket Rotary president for second time

BURRILLVILLE – The Woonsocket Rotary Club made history the night of Thursday, June 25, at Bella Restaurant. During its annual Charter Night, it installed Lisa Carcifero as its newest president. In the process, she became the first female to repeat in...

A HOT ONE HUNDREDTH

Large crowds brave the scorching heat while enjoying the 100th Arnold Mills 4th of July Parade along Nate Whipple Highway in Cumberland Saturday. Right: The British Red Coats brave the scorching heat. Below right: The Cumberland High School Clipper...

America celebrates 250

WASHINGTON (AP) — Festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence ramped up across the United States on Friday as demonstrations of national pride were balanced with efforts to stay safe as much of the country baked under the...

FIRED UP FOR THE FOURTH

CUMBERLAND – Amazing as it may seem, the annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade turns 100 this Saturday, and chairwoman Joyce Koutsogiane and her board have been working extremely hard to make this the most memorable and meaningful ever. “It’s hard...

Lightning strikes again with ‘Grease’ at TBTS

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — If there’s a choreographer and dance auteur with the Midas touch, it is Kevin P. Hill at Theatre By The Sea, who made the aging Grease production worth seeing for its terpsichore. Terpsichore is the Greek Muse of dance and choral...

Infant, two women found dead a er vehicle sank in river

PAWTUCKET — Three family members, including a 2-year-old girl, were found dead after a submerged car was pulled from the Seekonk River Monday afternoon. The vehicle was removed about 2:45 p.m. following an intensive search by police and firefighters...

School Committee receives update on high school construction

PAWTUCKET – The School Committee received some good news and a bit of bad when it was provided an update on the construction of the new Pawtucket High School on the former McCoy Stadium site at their meeting last week. On the positive side, Gordon...

McKee, Rebelo, others celebrate Boys & Girls Club’s 70th birthday

CUMBERLAND – Brad Dean is in his mid-70s now, but his mind often drifts back to the great times he had as a kid playing at the then-Cumberland Boys Club in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. He admitted he’s thinking even more about it now, since the Boys...

Pawtucket Schools Summer Meal Kicko event today

PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket School Department, Aramark Student Nutrition and the Rhode Island Department of Education will host the Pawtucket Schools Summer Meal Kickoff Celebration, which is scheduled for today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cunningham...

REQUIRED READING: Declaration of Independence goes on brief display

With America’s 250th birthday fast approaching, a local library did its part to connect Southern Rhode Island residents to their nation’s history with a tradition dating back to this country’s founding. A line of people was seen pouring out of the...

Thanks for the support!

WOONSOCKET – Construction of the new George T. Nasuti Elementary School at Barry Field hit another milestone Thursday as workers fitted in a steel beam signed by local students, officials and residents. The capping-off beam was placed on the...

BEACONS OF THE FUTURE

Top: Beacon Charter High School for the Arts graduates, from left, Grace Togher, Dorothy Piekarski, and Illyana Alicea gather at the Stadium Theatre before the start of commencement last Wednesday evening. Forty-one students graduated during the...

Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series opens in River Island Park

WOONSOCKET – The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series returned to the city’s River Island Park Friday evening with a kick-off performance by headliner soul, jazz and blues artist Shayna Steele, an opening act featuring the YONKS from Providence and even...

Slater Liberty Tree planting commemorates USA’s 250th

PAWTUCKET – Secretary of State Gregg Amore visited Slater Park on Monday morning for the Pawtucket 250th Committee’s Liberty Tree Planting ceremony next to the R.I. Watercolor Society, but about 10 minutes before its start, he offered a humorous story...

Saints’ Class of ‘26 embraces courage, resilience

PROVIDENCE – Jacob Faria stood in the basement of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul early Sunday afternoon surrounded by a group of people he had spent the past four years with learning, studying, toiling, laughing and, on a few occasions,...

Perseverance de nes Shea High Class of ’26

PAWTUCKET – As the Shea High School Class of 2026 congregated inside the Francis J. Varieur Elementary School cafeteria late Friday afternoon, classmates Lara Martins and Lara Fortes spoke quietly among themselves in a hallway about their lead-up to...

Tolman awards diplomas to 215 worthy grads

PAWTUCKET – The start of Yamil Ayala’s graduation ceremony from Tolman High School was still over an hour away, but he couldn’t help but admit he doubted his readiness for the event. “I really can’t believe all this; it just flew by, and now we’re...

Davies Tech delivers diplomas to 212 in proud Class of 2026

LINCOLN – You could see the uneasiness on Moshood Lawal’s face. Just minutes away from his commencement from the William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School on Tuesday night, the North Providence resident stood among a few friends in a...

‘Be here right now and nowhere else’

WOONSOCKET – – An afternoon of time-honored tradition and attention to bright futures marked Mount St. Charles Academy’s 102nd Commencement honoring 113 members of the Class of 2026 on Sunday. The ceremony capping up to seven years of school at the...

‘Time to open the door, step outside’

WOONSOCKET – Gaining praise for their accomplishments, the 306 members of Woonsocket High School’s Class of 2026 were encouraged during graduation ceremonies Friday afternoon to continue learning, continue growing in the years ahead. The ceremonies in...

Blackstone Academy honors 62 grads

PROVIDENCE – Just as the doors had opened to parents, family members and friends for the Blackstone Academy Charter School’s 23rd commencement at Bishop McVinney Auditorium on Thursday afternoon, senior Isaiah Perry stood on the stage downstairs...

Mount’s top students to lead commencement ceremonies

WOONSOCKET – After completing their high school years with distinction, Mount St. Charles Academy’s three top students of the Class of 2026 are more than ready to lead the school’s 102nd Commencement Ceremonies on Sunday. Mia M. Rocco of Portsmouth is...

Gonzalez, Torres named Tolman 2026 valedictorian, salutatorian

PAWTUCKET – Unusual as it may sound, Naima Gonzalez has been consumed by the idea of finishing as the top student in her class since elementary school. Now that she has been announced as Tolman High School’s newest valedictorian, she’s feeling quite...

Lopes, Rosales named top scholars at BV Prep High

PAWTUCKET – When Jazleen Lopes entered Blackstone Valley Prep High School as a freshman four years ago, she never really thought about finishing atop her class. She just wanted to do the best she could and challenge herself academically. “I never...

LESSONS FROM THE FRONT LINE

WOONSOCKET – When police are routinely showing up among teenagers to do an unpopular job – like breaking up fights, for example – the shots the cops take to their public image are often harder to heal than any physical injuries the combatants may...

Man arrested a er hours-long stand o with Woonsocket Police

WOONSOCKET – A tense police stand-off with a domestic incident suspect at 613 Grove Street ended after 4-1/2 hours when police patience paid off with the man’s surrender just after 3 p.m. Friday. Woonsocket Police had surrounded the three-family...

McKee, Grebien, Beauchamp highlight RhodeRestore initiative

PAWTUCKET – Gov. Dan McKee, Mayors Don Grebien of Pawtucket and Chris Beauchamp of Woonsocket, RIDOT Interim Executive Director Bob Rocchio and other state and municipal leaders gathered on Broadway on Thursday morning to highlight the success of the...

Woonsocket native pens book inspired by journey to India

WOONSOCKET – Over 30 years, GiGi Desaulniers made more than 20 trips to India, most often to Kolkata, in West Bengal. Her purpose was charitable work, including volunteering with Mother Teresa. Now Desaulniers has written a book inspired by what she...

Bally’s picked to launch Rhode Island’s second online sportsbook

RhodeIslandCurrent.com As soon as late November, Rhode Island will have a new online option to bet on any sports matches — one from the very company that already operates the state’s in-person sportsbook. The Rhode Island Lottery on May 8 awarded...

Barnai Worsted founder Naismith honored at Museum of W&C

WOONSOCKET – Robert William Naismith, 81, never knew his grandfather, William Naismith, but thanks to some research into the city’s industrial past he is now helping the Museum of Work & Culture learn more about the former mill it calls home at Market...

Duschang, Lebeuf are St. Raphael valedictorian and salutatorian

PAWTUCKET – St. Raphael Academy valedictorian Michael Duschang is sure many things will cross his mind while he and the rest of the Class of 2026 parade through the massive Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul during commencement exercises on Sunday...

‘Summer of Celebration’ events announced by Grebien, McKee

PAWTUCKET – At a most appropriate venue, Centreville Bank Stadium, on Thursday morning, Mayor Donald Grebien, Gov. Dan McKee, State Treasurer James Diossa and a host of other dignitaries unveiled numerous events that have been scheduled as parts of the...

Woonsocket High scholars savor rewards of academic challenges

WOONSOCKET – The high school’s top two students of the Class of 2026, Valedictorian David A. Vega and Salutatorian Timothy Silvia now know that hard work pays off when it comes to their academic pursuits. Vega achieved his top honors by challenging...

Council opposes state’s bid to hamper camping enforcement

WOONSOCKET – The City Council voted 6-0 on Monday night to pass a resolution in opposition to House Bill H-8000 Substitute A and any companion bill in the Senate in connection with the enforcement of camping bans on public property. The ruling comes...

URI commencement encourages students to seize opportunity

Graduation weekend 2026 at the University of Rhode Island has come and gone, a time for faculty, leaders, and students themselves to give graduates advice on their way off campus. This year’s encouraging messages appeared to have a theme: uncertain...

North Smith eld High scholars succeed with more than academics

NORTH SMITHFIELD – The high school’s Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Leah Goodwin, and Class Salutatorian, Emerson Deschene, both point to time spent outside the classroom for life experiences as important as their academic success. For Goodwin, the...

Enestvedt, Bhatt named top scholars at Cumberland High

CUMBERLAND – Molly Enestvedt calls it sweet satisfaction being named Cumberland High School’s newest valedictorian. The reason: The youngest of the Enestvedt clan has watched her older siblings excel academically for years at both her soon-to-be alma...

Shode, Grullon top Davies’ academic list as valedictorian, salutatorian

LINCOLN – Tyra Shode of North Providence and Abigail Grullon of Johnston have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, at the William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School. Shode, the daughter of Modin and Bilikis Shode, has...

Levitt AMP concerts to return to city on June 12

WOONSOCKET – Get ready, the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series will be starting up on June 12 with another run of 10 Friday evening free concerts at River Island Park near Market Square. The headliner acts of the popular concert series, now starting...

Woonsocket Police Department takes part in 25th annual Copswalk

IWOONSOCKET n a rite of spring that reaches the 25-year milestone this week, a team of city police officers is marking National Police Week by jogging all the way to Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to fellow officers who died in the line of duty and to...

First come, first served

PPAC’s ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ lacks depth of original play but still has plenty of laughter

PROVIDENCE – “Kimberly Akimbo,” the straight play turned musical now at the Providence Performing Arts Center, is a paradox. It’s funny and entertaining while dealing with some serious stuff. Generally, that works. While on Broadway, the musical...

Shea High’s Campbell and Sirleaf named Class of 2026 top scholars

PAWTUCKET – There are more than a few reasons why Mikha’la Campbell recently became Shea High School’s Class of 2026 valedictorian, but the primary impetus came from her parents and her teachers when she was growing up in Jamaica. “This means so much...

Four Corners Community Chapel holds annual Spring Fling

CUMBERLAND – A bit of late morning rain didn’t deter members of the Four Corners Community Chapel at 200 Angell Road from doing some good work Saturday for their congregation’s youth programs and general fund. Four Corners’ fifth annual Spring Fling...

Assault trial of Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs begins with contrasting accounts

DEDHAM, Mass. — The livein chef who accused Stefon Diggs of assault took the stand Monday on the first day of his trial, testifying that the former New England Patriots wide receiver slapped and choked her during a dispute at his home. Diggs’ defense...

Paulin and Roberts named top scholars at J.M. Walsh School

PAWTUCKET – To Melissa Paulin, a senior at the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing & Visual Arts, being named the institution’s newest valedictorian is mind-boggling. “Honestly, for me, it represents resilience because during my freshman...

McKee, Foulkes: Don’t move sludge processing to North Kingstown

NORTH KINGSTOWN – Despite the Quonset Development Corporation’s pause on a plan to build a sewer sludge plant, signs with red slashes, rallies, and hundreds showing up at the latest North Kingstown council meeting indicate that the community’s fight to...

O cials say get ready for a ‘Summer of Soccer’ in RI

PROVIDENCE – Dignitaries packed the State Room at the State House on Tuesday morning for the unveiling of plans for the “Rhode Island Summer of Soccer” ahead of the FIFA World Cup’s stop in Foxboro in June and July. General Treasurer James Diossa,...

NASA’s Artemis II moonship returns home to its launch site

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The spacecraft that flew four astronauts around the moon is back where its record-breaking journey began. NASA’s Artemis II capsule returned to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, almost a month after blasting off on...

City announces expansion of e ort to combat rodent infestations

PAWTUCKET – The city’s Division of Zoning & Code Enforcement, in partnership with Mayor Donald Grebien, has announced the continuation and expansion of its Neighborhood Task Force Program for 2026, an initiative rooted in public service, neighborhood...

Parrots’ new home rises, phoenix-like, from the ashes

Community News Lab HOPKINTON – Tucked down a dirt path off Woodville Alton Road is a sprawling, farmhouse-style building that could pass for a boutique hotel. But this luxury isn’t for humans— it’s for birds. Foster Parrots Ltd., founded in 1989, is...

Friendship, and much more, at stake on in ‘Primary Trust’

PROVIDENCE – “Primary Trust,” now on stage at Trinity Rep, is a deceptively simple play. Simple, if you stop at what the central character, Kenneth, says at the start: “This is a story of a friendship.” True statement, but there is much more to think...

ONE IF BY LAND

TBOSTON he clip-clop of horse hooves echoed as Paul Revere rode through the streets of Boston’s North End on Monday — a reenactment of his historic midnight ride, but with some modern-day tweaks: This time, the revolutionary hero set out under bright...

RI state payroll system failed to prevent excess contributions

The Rhode Island Department of Administration building in Providence. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Fifty state college and university employees were mailed corrected tax forms on the afternoon of April 15 — the very day they were...

Gov. McKee agrees to debate Democratic rival Foulkes before primary

Keep your calendars open. Gov. Dan McKee has agreed to debate his Democratic challenger, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, three times before early voting begins in August. The verbal deal reached within a single business day comes as the rivals continue to...

Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz amid peace negotiations

BEIRUT — Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but U.S. President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S.,...

Artemis II astronauts praise their moonship’s performance

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts who ignited a lunar renaissance gave high marks Thursday to their moonship, especially the heat shield, for its performance during reentry. In their first news conference since returning to Earth,...

NASA astronaut Chari talks to Winters Elementary students about life in space

PAWTUCKET – As soon as Congressman and city native Gabe Amo and heralded NASA astronaut Raja Chari had rounded the corner to enter the Henry J. Winters Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesday morning, the noise from exactly 207 third-, fourth – and...

Island Rhodes Music Festival to debut Aug. 15-16 at Centreville Bank Stadium Tolman senior named RIIL’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year

PAWTUCKET – The Ocean State is welcoming a new music festival this summer with the debut of Centreville Bank Stadium’s first-ever concert event, Island Rhodes Music Festival. Set to take place the weekend of August 15-16 at Centreville Bank Stadium in...

NASA already planning next Artemis ight following astronauts’ return

HOUSTON — Never-before-glimpsed views of the moon’s far side. Check. Total solar eclipse gracing the lunar scene. Check. New distance record for humanity. Check. With NASA’s lunar comeback a galactic-sized smash thanks to Artemis II, the world is...

The Garage Kitchen restaurant is a family affair for Cordovas

WOONSOCKET – Some folks who enter “The Garage Kitchen” for some good Latin eats just can’t help but ask the proprietors – Carlos Cordova, wife Santa Gilcas and sons Giancarlo and Christian – how the restaurant earned its rather unusual name. Their...

Cass Park marks start of shing season with Carignan Derby

WOONSOCKET – After a long winter, local kids will get the chance to begin another season of outdoor activities as the annual Ernest A. Carignan Jr. Memorial Fishing Derby kicks off the state’s opening day of fishing Saturday morning at Cass Park on...

Classic coming-of-age tale ‘The Outsiders’ still resonates

When Jaydon Nget was a freshman in high school, he had to read S.E. Hinton’s book, “The Outsiders.” “I wasn’t much of a reader, but I was hooked on this book for quite some time,” the Houston native says. “It’s so relatable, such a heartfelt...

Artemis II astronauts make long-distance call

HOUSTON — Still aglow from their triumphant lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts made more history Tuesday: calling their friends aboard the International Space Station hundreds of thousands of miles away as they headed home from the moon. It was...

SPRING MEANING

WOONSOCKET – After a winter hibernation, the St. Ann Arts & Cultural Center is ready to open its doors to another season of tours and events highlighting the religious artwork of one-time city resident Guido Nincheri. Nincheri, an Italian artist based...

FUNDING THE POLICE

PAWTUCKET – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Gabe Amo remained in town Tuesday to help Mayor Donald Grebien and Public Safety Director/ Police Chief Tina Goncalves unveil three new, state-of-the-art vehicles and other equipment purchased...

R.I. Corporate Career Fair a hit with job seekers regionwide

PAWTUCKET – City resident Kevin Lester owns his carpet-cleaning business, but because times have become harder for him, he said he didn’t have a choice but to seek more financial help. That, in essence, is the reason he attended the Rhode Island...