Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - August 4, 2023

HOT

South Providence’s Washington Park All-Star Team 

The Washington Park South Providence Sports (WPSPS) 10U All-Star Team, having clinched the New England Divisional Title, is heading to the Cal Ripken World Series. 

According to WPSPS Vice President Abraham Henderson, the "journey has been nothing short of remarkable."

"Throughout the summer, WPSPS exhibited outstanding talent and determination, competing against formidable teams from Cranston, Warwick,  and Tiverton, to advance to the New England Championship. Proudly representing the state of Rhode Island, they continued to shine, triumphing over teams from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire,  Connecticut, and Massachusetts, earning the prestigious honor of representing not only Rhode Island but also the entire region of New England on the international stage in Crown Point, Indiana," said Henderson. 

HOT

Navyn Salem

There may be no Rhode Islander doing more important work in the world than Navyn Salem.

On Thursday, she was identified as one of the world leaders on addressing famine.

"I had the incredible honor to represent Edesia Nutrition at the United Nations Security Council in NY today. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield held an open debate on famine and conflict-induced global food insecurity, chaired by Secretary of State, Antony Blinken," she wrote
 

HOT

New Point Street Park 

Spectacular.

GoLocal was first to visit the brand new Point Street Park — on the west side of the Providence River — and it provides a spectacular view of the city and offers a new walkway, running paths, fishing spots, and a new boat ramp.

See the photos here. 

HOT

James Taylor Captured by Richard McCaffrey

No one delights a crowd more than James Taylor.

And no one captures rock and rollers better than GoLocal photographer Richard McCaffrey.

HOT

Learn365RI Signs Up More Than 90%

In April, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee unveiled his “Learn365RI” plan, to embrace — and financially support — year-round K-12 learning in the state. 

At the core of the plan is a statewide system of out-of-school educational programs — and it requires the buy-in from local municipalities. 

“A key component of our strategy to increase out-of-school learning time is to achieve a high-level commitment from mayors, town administrators, council presidents, and town managers across the state,” said McKee. “They are the ones who are uniquely positioned to take this effort communitywide.”

This week, McKee appeared on GoLocal LIVE, where he announced 31 communities have signed on to the compact, and that the state is going to be announcing shortly the appropriation of $4 million for programming to those that have. 

“We need to move with urgency to close the learning gap if we are going to have a fighting chance in tomorrow’s economy. Newport’s educators and non-profits get it; that is why they have been working together to help our students learn both in and out of the classroom year-round,” said Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong — the first Rhode Island city to sign the compact. “To coordinate, track and scale these efforts our community needs the resourcing and support proposed in Governor’s Learn365RI strategy."

“Investing in learning and growth opportunities outside of the classroom will strengthen educational outcomes and set our students up for success,” said Mayor Brett Smiley in May. “I am excited to partner with Governor McKee on this compact to make out-of-school learning opportunities accessible to every student, in every neighborhood.”

An additional $80 million in federal funds will help the communities who have signed on.

HOT

10 More Years

The University of Rhode Island and Providence College have agreed to a 10-year series in men's basketball, beginning with the 2023-24 season. Providence will host the Rams at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 2 this year.

According to the announcement, "Under the terms of the agreement, every effort will be made by both parties to play the game on the first Saturday of December each season. If this is not possible, the schools will work to find an alternative date."

Providence Athletic Director Steve Napolillo and Rhode Island Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn announced the agreement.

"The Providence College/URI Basketball game is one that is important for the entire state," Bjorn said. "Locking in a 10-year series rather than going year-to-year shows the importance of this rivalry to both institutions. I would like to thank Steve Napolillo for working with us on this significant commitment."

NOT

Strip Club Owner and Smiley Donor Took Control of $1 Million Camp Cronin for $17K

Sometimes it just seems like it cannot be true, but in the world of Providence politics, strip joints and political campaigns, anything is possible.

HERE IT IS:

The City of Providence’s Camp Cronin in Narragansett has been mired in controversy in recent years. 

The property, valued at over a million dollars, had fallen into disrepair under former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s administration.

As GoLocal reported, there was “shocking” vandalism of the buildings on the grounds as recently as 2019.

This week, the Providence Journal reported that due to unpaid tax bills, Camp Cronin was purchased at a tax sale last fall — for a little over $17,000 by Airway Leasing, LLC. The city can reportedly still retain the property if it pays off the lien with “Airway” within the year. 

That is just half the story, however. 

Strip Club Owner, Smiley Donor 

A GoLocal investigation has uncovered the principal of Airway Leasing is Gerard DiSanto, the owner of Desire Gentlemen's Club in Providence — and a campaign donor to Mayor Brett Smiley. 

Campaign finance records show that DiSanto has given $3,000 to Smiley, who refused to answer questions about DiSanto — and other donors — during his run for Mayor in 2022.

DiSanto is a prolific political donor and while Smiley accepted and kept the strip club owner's donations — one politician did not keep his.

State Senator David Tikoian, the former North Providence Chief of Police and former Major in the Rhode Island State Police, returned a donation from DiSanto during the 2022 election cycle. 

“I don’t know the guy from Adam. I had gotten some checks in, and I didn’t know the name,” said Tikoian.

Campaign finance records show a "refund of contribution" from Tikoian to DeSanto in October of 2022. 

“I don’t know him; he might be a nice guy — but that’s not the kind of thing I want to be associated with,” he said. “I think I did the right thing.”

DiSanto's Attorney Responds

Nick Hemond, a Providence attorney, told GoLocal, "He bid on every property in Narragansett that day [at the tax sale]. He was selected for that parcel."

"He only knew he won the parcel by the plat and lot number — he did not know that it was," said Hemond.

Hemond said that DiSanto has not heard from anyone from the city since he was assigned the property at the tax sale.

According to Hemond, DiSanto has insured the land and is happy to discuss the future of the property with the city.

A spokesperson for Smiley, Josh Estrella, said, "The previous Administration failed to pay these taxes, the bills were not received, and the property was put up for tax sale in October of last year. Since we recently became aware of the sale, we have been working diligently with the Town of Narragansett to pay the outstanding taxes and regain ownership of the facility so that it can properly be rehabilitated and used by our residents."

For decades, the city of Providence ran recreation and senior service programs at Camp Cronin for city children and the elderly, respectively. 

NOT

ATVs and Dirt Bikes Out of Control

Providence’s battle against illegal ATVs and dirt bikes took a major setback on Thursday night.

The Michael Van Leesten pedestrian bridge was crowded with families, couples, and individuals enjoying the beautiful summer night Thursday until dirt bikes went racing across the bridge. The bridge is named for the civil rights leader who died in 2019.

GoLocal caught the bikes illegally crossing the pedestrian area on video.

NOT

If It Is Successful in RI, Then Cut It 

A pilot program funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in Rhode Island is ending -- and transportation advocates are raising concerns. 

Last year, the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) announced with much fanfare -- and a press conference with elected officials -- that it was launching a year-long free fare pilot program along the R-Line, its busiest bus route. 

The free rides are slated to end on August 31, and riders will now have to pay once again. 

“The General Assembly allocated $2.5 million of one-time federal funds (ARPA) toward a year-long free fare pilot program on the R-Line, which connects Providence and Pawtucket,” RIPTA spokesperson Cristy Raposo told GoLocal this week. “RIPTA is currently working with RIDOT and OMB to analyze all available data during this pilot to determine whether it is feasible to extend it.”

“This free-riding program was a success and carries more passengers than any person would have expected,” said Joe Cole, a transportation advocate and former Vice President of the ATU 618, the union that represents RIPTA bus rivers.

“Why have a pilot program, that has proven successful, eliminated?” said Cole. “This past February the R-Line carried 176,000 passengers.” READ MORE

NOT

CVS Headline

CVS, Rhode Island’s largest private for-profit employer, has notified employees that as many as 5,000 employees are facing potential layoffs.

Michael DeAngelis, the spokesperson for the company said in an email to GoLocal, “Rhode Island continues to be CVS Health’s national headquarters.  At this time, we don’t have a regional breakout of job impacts to share, but this decision applies nationally across the company. We have corporate hubs and offices in numerous states and employ more than 300,000 people in the U.S.”

CVS faces complex challenges from companies like Amazon.