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In the News… recap for week ending 10.19.24
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
The Beef Barn was purchased by a group associated with several gas stations and convenience stores in Massachusetts, Greenville Realtors, LLC
Students in Attleboro High School’s Dental Assisting program participated in Rhode Island Mission of Mercy’s annual free dental care clinic on Oct. 5-6.
Waterman Grille has a small fire during 2 weddings in the building. Weddings went on. Restaurant will be closed for a month for repairs.
Zeek’s Creek Bait and Tackle in Jamestown is closing – says RI is taking his property by eminent domain
Jennifer La Luz appointed Executive Director of Kent Hospital
Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the rest of the Mass. General Brigham system has postponed elective surgeries through Wednesday, the result of the national IV shortage
Gov. McKee presser with RIDOT: New ZOOM meeting this Thursday, 6pm – will do again. Meanwhile put your questions in by email.
RFQ is posted to narrow down companies interested to 2 – then RFP will go out. RFQ’s announced on 12/11/24. No date for bridge opening, but will be longer than estimated. Demolition will begin Tues night, and will include in-water substructure.
McDermott Pool in Warwick will reopen this week after repairs and maintenance
The Rhode Island League of Women Voters proudly presents a Woonsocket Mayoral Debate between incumbent Mayor Chris Beauchamp and challenger John Ward, hosted by Aging Well Inc. at the Gaston A. Ayotte Senior Center, 84 Social St., Woonsocket, RI. The debate will take place on Thursday, October 24th, at 7:00 PM and is open to the public.
Johnston Elementary School Topping Off Ceremony on October 22, 2024, at 10:30. Sign the beam prior to Oct. 22nd from 7:30am to 3pm
Audrain Group CEO, Donald Osborne, will step down and transition to consulting role – long time automotive expert
Feed the Cheeks desert shop coming to Garden City
Leaf peeping in the North Conway, NH area is causing massive traffic jams
The Fifth Element in Newport, a restaurant, will close
CVS will close or sell 20 pharmacies, cutting back its core infusion business
Steven Elliott, Providence Firefighter, at the age of 38.
Gov. McKee announced Hazel Health will be used for mental health services in Rhode Island schools – it is a Telehealth service – https://www.hazel.co
Family Court Judge Patricia Asquith to retire in 2025 after 22 years
Gov McKee joined Lt Gov Matos, Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD, and other leaders today to get his flu shot and encourage everyone 6 months of age and older to get their flu shots to stay as healthy as possible this fall and winter.
Temporary Repair Work to Charlestown Breachway has begun
Amazon in Johnston plans a Nov/Dec soft opening – they will be functioning for the holiday season, with a formal opening set for 2025
South Shore Macy’s sold – will remain open through 2025
Lifespan is rebranding and now known as Brown University Health
CVS Karen Lynch, CEO replaced by David Joyner
Nick Jonas ran offstage when a laser pointer was pointed at him and the band from the audience – it began a few minutes later
2 AI startups leaving Boston – for Buffalo, NY
Applebee’s in Garden City suffers serious fire, and Bistro 22 next to it also has damage which required it to close. Chaska has reopened.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Elon Musk extends free internet use via his Starlinks in North Carolina area
450 7-11 stores will close – noting falling tobacco sales
SpaceX captures descending rocket with mechanical arms – a first in space technology
US sending Israel a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery, and U.S. troops to operate the anti-missile system.
Hundreds of cars vandalized at Coachella event for Pres. Trump
Man arrested, possible assassination intent, with multiple weapons, various IDs and unregistered car.
A Philadelphia rally for Pres. Donald Trump changed its focus as 2 people fainted in the heat. Security would not allow doors to be opened. Trump asked that music from his playlist be played and the group enjoyed the music while filing out of the event space.
Australia says its fertility rates for women are 1.5 births (?)
Country star Brantley Gilbert pauses his life concert to help his wife have their 3rd baby in their travel bus, along with a midwife – then returned to complete the concert.
True Value will sell all its stores to Do It Best, in a stalking bid effort
Raytheon fined $950M by federal govt
China launches huge war games off the coast and around the island of Taiwan
North Korea has destroyed the roads considered access roads between it and South Korea
2 Giant Pandas expected to return to the National Zoo from China
Walgreens to close 1,200 stores nationwide, says 1 in 4 locations are unprofitable
Dozens indicted, including 23 inmates, for using drones to smuggle drugs into Georgia prisons. The indictments, part of “Operation Night Drop,” carry penalties of 10 years to life. Drones, drugs, and firearms were seized in the operation.
Delta pausing all flights from JFK to Tel Aviv, Israel through the first quarter of 2025
The FTC has a new “click to cancel” rule for subscriptions – rules take effect in 6 mos, with penalties for noncompliance
Bed, Bath & Beyond will have their products sold in special sections at The Container Store(s)
Pres. Biden announces again that there will be student debt cancellation of $60K for public service workers – $4.7billion – prior efforts have been shot down by SCOTUS.
Over 800 LGBTQ+ veterans who were dishonorably discharged will not have their status changed to honorably discharged
Georgia judge blocks attempts to have all ballots counted by hand
Polk County, Fla. Sheriff announces 157 arrests in human trafficking operation, including Disney World employee and over 2 dozen illegal aliens
Hamas chief leader Sinwar has been killed
20% fewer high schoolers are using tobacco – 2.25M are still using
Regulation coming to require cell phones to be compatible with hearing aids
Texas Supreme Court delayed execution of autistic man for shaken baby syndrome
Amazon tells employees they can leave if they cannot return to the ‘office’ for 5 days/week
META lays off workers at Instagram and WhatsApp
Automaker Stellantis plans to close and sell its large vehicle proving grounds in Arizona at the end of this year, covering 4,000 acres
The US is looking to diversify its lithium purchasing from China – and mines will begin in 2026 in Portugal, with the US expressing interest in adding this to their supply chain
Prosecutors release many documents from cases against Pres. Donald Trump
3 drones were directed at Israel PM’s Netanyahu’s home – 2 were destroyed. No one was home at the time.
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PASSINGS
Mitzi Gaynor, 93, actress and singer
Lilly Ledbetter, 86 (Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act)
Robert Mitchell, 74, owner of Champlin’s Seafood
Liam Payne, 31, former One Direction member fell from 3rd floor balcony