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Rhode Island Woman of the Year

Henrietta “Henrie” Tonia White-Holder is an unrelenting ball of energy. She has taken the most unusual path from Liberia to Rhode Island. 

During her journey, she has fought thyroid issues, breast cancer, and nearly died from COVID.

Today, she leads High Ground International, an organization that she founded seventeen years ago and has provided services to tens of thousands of Rhode Island refugees, immigrants, and citizens.

The Story 

White-Holder left Liberia in 1980 amidst the country's civil war.

“I came —  the President was assassinated, his whole cabinet was killed, there was dysfunction in the country in terms of ethnic divisions and killings. So that's when I came here," she said. 

“My family was displaced. They were living in a refugee camp in Ghana. And when I finally found my family, I was able to help support them, money to make sure that they had clean water, a place to live, food, and what have you,” she said.

In Rhode Island, she began a professional career. She returned to Liberia and saw a country that had been ravaged by war. 

“So in 2005, after there was a transitional government in place in Liberia, I decided to go with a friend because we're looking to start an organization and do an assessment on the ground. And I got there. And I got to see a level of poverty that I could never even imagine," said White-Holder. "Across the landscape of that country, there was a displaced people camp. Everybody's homes were bombed out or destroyed. And people hadn't even stayed.”

Like White-Holder, many Liberians came to Rhode Island.

Somewhere around 15,000 immigrated to the state — only North Dakota has a higher percentage of Liberians.

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Rhode Island Man of the Year

At a time when political posturing and the politicization of many aspects of our government appear to be the norm, one government official in Rhode Island stood out with consistent and capable leadership.

And it has been welcomed.

Zachary Cunha, the United States Attorney for Rhode Island, has served as a highly competent steward of the critical office.

Cunha, who is unlikely to be retained by President-elect Donald Trump’s Justice Department, proved to be non-partisan in the execution of the office. That is not a knock on the Trump administration — Presidents name their own team. President Jimmy Carter did not retain Lincoln Almond.

Cunha’s tenure was a refreshing change. For years, the office had been a bit of a morass.

He did two things extremely well. He rebuilt the staff and demanded professionalism.

“I think we have a great team. One of my goals coming in was [to] expand our capacity to do the kinds of cases that only we can do on the federal side of the house, and I think you've seen a lot of that, particularly in the fraud space," said Cunha in an interview with GoLocal in November. His office now has a staff of 25 federal prosecutors and will be adding one more before the end of the year.

Second, Cunha took on some important cases — the type of cases his predecessors would not take on.

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So Remarkably Cool

Michael Rose has a wonderful feature on a brilliant artist who creates in neon.

At one time, facades across downtown were adorned with glowing neon signage that beckoned buyers into shops. Contemporary artists are rethinking this material as a means for creative expression and local maker Nick McKnight has found a practice in merging the art and craft of neon lights.

He makes his own compelling text-based fine art using neon and also creates practical signage for businesses in the region and beyond. He is bringing neon from outdoors into gallery spaces.

In a nondescript building in Olneyville, McKnight’s studio is part laboratory and part artistic space. Open flames are used to bend fragile glass tubes to shape letters and forms. These tubes are then made airtight, filled with gas, and electrified. McKnight makes neon the old-school way and has studied under glass benders who are keeping this art form alive.

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Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Bestows Lifetime Achievement Awards

Retired Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable 54 years of continuous service in law enforcement, the longest tenure in the state’s history. He spent the first half of his career with the Providence Police Department, before going on to serve 25 years as Johnston’s Police Chief. His achievements reflect a legacy of strategic vision, innovative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to inspiring those around him to uphold the highest standards of public service.

Colonel Stephen McCartney, a fellow recipient of the 2024 RIPCA Lifetime Achievement Award, is a distinguished law enforcement professional with nearly 50 years of service. A Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, McCartney served 26 years with the Providence Police Department and later as Warwick’s Chief of Police until 2019. He also served as the RIPCA president in 2008. His career is marked by numerous commendations, induction into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, and leadership roles in organizations dedicated to law enforcement and community service.

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The Rich Begging for Money - Do You Have Any Grey Poupon

Rhode Island PBS, the media corporation with little viewership and more than $100 million in assets, is seeking more donations and trying to fight off cuts by the incoming Republican Congress.

In a January 2, 2025, email to donors, RIPBS asked for financial support and issued a warning of federal cuts.

“Rhode Island PBS seeks to embrace new opportunities to serve you in 2025. Yet the entire public media system faces a big question: Will circumstances diminish or even end our federal funding? In this uncertain period, your additional support matters. Give what feels right for you now," wrote Jodi M. Mesolella, the Director of Membership & Special Projects at RIPBS.

When asked about RIPBS’s funding, CEO Pam Johnston said that most of the station's funds come from donors and sponsors.

“While all funding is needed and essential, the lion’s share of our operational funding comes from generous members and donors, as well as local sponsors and foundations. We expect that to continue going forward,” said Johnston in an email to GoLocal.

GoLocal had requested an interview with Johnston, which she accepted and subsequently canceled. GoLocal had sought to understand why RIPBS needs additional federal funding when the station is sitting on more than $100 million in assets,

Johnston's compensation is $300,000 a year — more than 66% higher than her predecessor, David Piccerelli.

In addition, she said she receives "healthcare benefits, and after one year of service, there is a 403 B matching percentage, which is standard for all employees. There is also the potential for additional compensation tied to performance, which has yet to be finalized."

However, sponsorships and donations only make up a tiny fraction of RIPBS’s assets. 

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PHOTO: Alexander Grey, Unsplash

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Jerod Mayo Had One Job, Now He Has No Job

On Sunday, the Patriots would have secured the #1 draft pick with a loss. The Patriots were good at losing. They did it 13 times this year.

But instead of winning, the Patriots coach, Jerod Mayo, pulled out a win. 

Now, the Patriots pick 4th in the draft. And Mayo was fired. 

Mayo failed to win when it was important.

Mayo failed to lose when it was important. 

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6-Year-Old With Special Needs Left Alone on RI School Bus - “Unacceptable,” Says Father

On Sunday, GoLocal's news editor, Kate Nagle, broke the story.

A six-year-old child with special needs was left unattended on a school bus in Rhode Island this week, in an episode a father is calling “unacceptable.”

The incident happened on Thursday in Narragansett. 

“My daughter went to school [and she fell] asleep on the bus,” said Brent Butterworth. “The bus monitor and driver left her on the bus, didn’t realize she was there.”

“She was found 20-30 minutes later by another bus employee," said Butterworth. 

GoLocal spoke with Butterworth following the incident. 

“Unacceptable” 

“I found out by the principal calling us,” said Butterworth. “We had to call the transportation department ourselves [to try and get answers].”

“This is definitely not acceptable. When we talked with [school officials], and we kept going around in circles, with them saying, ‘Oh, this could have been worse, she seemed fine, the bus driver seems the most upset about this.’ I don’t think so,” said Butterworth. “I’m still processing this. So she just wakes up alone…what is she thinking? There was no one around her.”

According to Butterworth, he felt that Narragansett schools tried to downplay what took place. 

“I think they did make light of it. I want to know what the responsibility of the bus monitor is. I get she’s helping handicapped kids on and off the bus. There are three other kids on the bus with wheelchairs,” said Butterworth. “Maybe the question I should have asked is for the employee code of conduct."

Butterworth says his daughter “doesn’t process things like you or I would.”

“She got on the bus on Friday and went to school,” he added. “But she might process things three weeks later and say hey, ‘I’m not getting on the bus.’ Because it might just pop up in her head at a later date and time”

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PHOTO: Megan Lee, Unsplash

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Stupidest Press Release of the New Year

It is unfathomable to imagine that Governor Dan McKee and his merry band could possibly be stupid enough to send out a press release entitled, "Governor McKee Highlights 2024 Rhode Island Department of Transportation Accomplishments."

Alas, they did. 

Moreover, McKee cites in the press release that the Washington Bridge is an example of one of his successes:

Washington Bridge Progress

Once we learned on March 14 that building a new bridge was the only viable solution to the Washington Bridge situation, RIDOT worked quickly to open six lanes of traffic safely, making it possible to return to normal traffic volume. After an earlier version of an RFP did not result in qualified bidders, we adjusted course and initiated an RFI and RFQ process that has yielded two nationally known teams in bridge construction competing on a final replacement design.

The demolition of the superstructure—the part of the bridge you drive over—is on track to be finished this winter, and demolition of the substructure underneath should also start this winter.

In September, the state received the MEGA grant to help fund the reconstruction of the westbound Washington Bridge, followed in October by the INFRA grant. This infusion of more than $200 million is paired with the issuance of Garvee bonds, to ensure we have the financial resources needed to complete the project without putting an undue burden on Rhode Island taxpayers. 

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Bezos' Washington Post

Another 100 workers were laid off at the company.

And, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for the paper resigned after its editorial page editor rejected a cartoon Ann Telnaes created to mock media and tech titans paying homage to President-elect Donald Trump.

Among the titans was Amazon founder and Post owner Jeff Bezos. 

PHOTO: Juvertson, Flickr CC: 2.0