Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 18, 2022

HOT

Downtown Cool

The 32 Custom House condos -- a boutique NYC-style condominium development located in the revitalized Custom House Historic District of Downtown Providence -- launched on the market on Wednesday.

There are 11 units going on the market that range from a little more than $250,000 to under $500,000.

As an example, this unit (below) is priced at $369,000, and it is a one-bed and one-bath with 841 square feet., 

Unit 201 (1Bed/1Bath) showcases a bright and spacious layout providing a versatile live/work floor plan featuring a soaring floor-to-ceiling height with oversize windows and hardwood flooring throughout. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, floating shelf cabinetry, quartz counters and overlooks the open living space, making it perfect for entertaining. The bedroom space is tucked away from the main living space for maximum privacy and is highlighted by (2) oversize closets for extra storage.

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HOT

Research Cool

The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation has appointed Christian Cowan, an economic and workforce development expert, as its first full-time executive director.

The work of the research foundation could be a big boost to the RI economy.

Read more about Cowan's background, when GoLocal tapped him as "21 to Watch in 21" here. 

HOT

Brown Bears Cool

The Brown women's soccer team is set to face UC Irvine in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament this Friday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The winner of this second-round matchup will move on to face the winner of the Alabama/Portland contest in the third round.

Friday's game will be the first-ever matchup between Brown and UC Irvine.

The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Bears' record is 13-2-2, 5-0-1 Ivy.

HOT

Xay Cool

He is reportedly going to be the first Laotian mayor in the United States.

First-time Newport candidate Xaykham “Xay” Rexford Khamsyvoravong was the top vote-getter in the City Council race.

As a result, he is the new mayor.

HOT

PC Hoops Cool

The Providence College men's basketball team defeated Stonehill College, 100-76, on Tuesday, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. 

The Friars are now 3-0 on the season with functionally a brand-new roster.

PHOTO: PC Ryan Feeney

HOT

Safety Cool

Rhode Island Marine Corps veteran Robert "Bobby" Kells, Jr. has started a company to provide civilians with what they might need in the event of a catastrophic event. 

Kells — along with fellow veteran Bob Smith — recently launched U.S. Survival Solutions, and have been selling out kits at trade shows and at stores, including in Rhode Island. 

BUY HERE

“The company was created for lay people not in the space of ‘prepping” — it’s where to begin,” said Kells. “We’re in a very precarious point in time. Sparks could trigger something [globally] at any point.”

Kells, a retired Providence Police officer, spent 26 years in the military — four years on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, including combat tours in Panama and Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Storm. He also served a year in the Marine Reserves.

He then spent 21 years in the Army National Guard in the 119th military police company and 126th aviation unit in Quonset and saw combat tours in cluing Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  

Now, he wants to use his expertise and knowledge to help civilians equip themselves -- and become self-reliant. 

NOT

Trump's Shrinking Base

Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday night that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for President in 2024. 

Trump, first elected in 2016, was defeated by President Joe Biden in 2020.

The big question is does the GOP want him to run, after the party's underperformance in the midterms?

This week, GOP Rep. Mo Brooks — who had been an ardent Trump supporter in the last election — said it would be a “bad mistake” for Republicans if Trump were to be the 2024 nominee.

Moreover — Brooks called Trump “dishonest” and “incompetent.”

Brooks wasn't alone in expressing his concerns. 

Read more here. 

NOT

“We Could Not Get Any Info at All” Says Family of Man Who Died, Linked to State Police Major’s Claim

David Heffron died in March 2012 of a head injury outside of a bar in East Greenwich. That is about the only fact that is not without question, amidst swirling accusations and denials.

Heffron was 58 at the time of his death.

GoLocal sat down with Heffron’s sister and brother, who have been seeking answers about their brother David's death for the past ten years.

They are frustrated by the lack of response from law enforcement.

Anne, age 68, and James, 72, were David's only siblings.  The family grew up in Warwick. Over the years, the three often worked together at David's successful business RI Hydraulics Co. The company services gas stations in the region -- installing and removing gas station tanks.

"He was always in by 6:30 AM," said Anne Heffron.

"One day, we are on a job site, and he was late. He was never late," she said.

"A little later, he shows up, doesn’t say anything. He starts working. A little while after, an old lady stops by with cookies. [Earlier] David had seen her shoveling, he had stopped and had shoveled the walkway, the driveway," she continued. "That was him.”

Read more here. 

NOT

More Slashing, If That Is Even Possible

Dan Kennedy of Northeastern Univesity writes that Gannett, the Providence Journal's parent company, is about to make more cuts. The Providence Journal now has less than ten full-time news reporters, according to their website. In a memo to employees, Henry Faure Walker writes:

Dear Gannett News Division:

First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your commitment, hard work and professionalism during these unsettling times.

I have begun working with … the team to address the challenges and opportunities ahead and put the News operation on a sounder footing.

It’s important to provide you with visibility into current conditions and the next steps for our News division, as we are not immune to the economic conditions many industries and companies are facing, particularly in the media sector.

While we have taken several steps already, we must enter the new year in a stronger economic position, and the reality is that our News cost base is currently too high for the revenues it generates. Regretfully, this means we will be implementing further reductions.

I appreciate that this will impact valued colleagues, and we are committed to ensuring they are treated with the utmost respect and courtesy throughout this difficult process. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible. Notifications will occur on Dec. 1 and 2.

Please know that many non-payroll savings have also been targeted, and reducing our workforce is not the preferred course of action. In addition, other similar actions are being taken in other divisions across our organization.

We are going through challenging times, but we will get through this, and build a stronger business that underpins the phenomenal, trusted journalism you do and ensure that we can continue to deliver for our communities for many years to come. Thank you.

Henry