Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 1, 2020

HOT

Ocean State Charities 

Ocean State Charities Trust has committed $50,000 to assist Boys and Girls Clubs across Rhode Island respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing virtual learning during this time of crisis.

The announcement was made by Trust Chairman John J. Partridge, Esq. “The trustees of the Ocean State Charities Trust want to be supportive of the tremendous leadership shown by Governor Raimondo and help fund a program that will support our youth at this critical time,” Partridge said, noting that the Governor has instituted virtual learning for all public school systems in the state and has also challenged students to use their time at home to read more.

Formed in 1981, the Trust is dedicated to supporting charitable purposes that promote social welfare in Rhode Island by assisting citizens in the areas of housing, health, education and welfare. “We are well acquainted with the good work done by Boys & Girls Clubs across this state,” said Trustee Scott Avedisian. “And over the years we have donated more than $350,000 to further their efforts.”

“Children that are served by the Boys & Girls Clubs in our state will now have the ability to access more information through virtual learning,” said Trustees Amy Vitale, Esq., John Farnum, and Mark Russell. The Rhode Island Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs consists of seven autonomous organizations, which work together to inspire and enable youth across Rhode Island. They have locations in East Providence, Newport, Northern Rhoden Island, Pawtucket, Providence, and Warwick. 

HOT

Jennifer Lawless

She is a weekly contributor to GoLocal LIVE. She is quoted regularly in the Washington Post, New York Times, Politico, and more. And she is the Co-Editor of the American Journal of Political Science. 

Lawless has most recently served as the Commonwealth Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia.

Now, she adds another distinction. 

She has been named Chair of the Political Science Department at Jefferson's University.

HOT

10 Years Strong

GoLocal — one of the most ambitious local media startups in the United States — was launched ten years ago this week. 

Between April 28, 2010, and now, GoLocal has done what few other news start-ups have done— transformed their state’s media landscape.

While GoLocal has been growing and innovating, much of Rhode Island’s media was being bought or sold by out-of-state conglomerates.  TV stations in Rhode Island sold two to three times. Newspapers have been pummeled by corporate owners.

Today, GoLocal is the only Rhode Island-owned statewide news source.

HOT

Bob Driscoll

The Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) announced that Providence College Director of Athletics Bob Driscoll is the 2020 Builders' Award honoree.

"Bob Driscoll is a transformational leader who has accomplished numerous accolades during his prestigious career," stated Builders' Award Committee Chair and Director of Athletics at Niagara University, Simon Gray. "In almost 20 years at Providence College, he has elevated the Friars into a national championship-caliber athletics department while always focusing on student-athlete development. A former Athletics Director of the Year winner and DI-AAA ADA Past President, he has loyally served our Association with honor. We are proud to present Bob Driscoll with the 2020 DI-AAA ADA Builders' Award."

Driscoll has transformed and reinvigorated Providence College's athletics program over his two-decade tenure. He has established a vision of student-athlete success in the classroom and in the community while competing for championships. He maintains focus on leading, fostering and mentoring. Over the past seven years, Driscoll has been the architect of one of the most successful eras in the history of PC athletics.

 "While we are all in the midst of some very difficult times, it is nice to be able to pause and appreciate some of the wonderful things that we do have in our lives. It is these things that help to keep me motivated and why so many of us love our jobs in collegiate athletics," said Driscoll.

HOT

Avenue N

A new restaurant is opening in Providence during the coronavirus crisis. 

While a number of dining establishments have temporarily — or permanently closed, Avenue N Providence on Hope Street — adjacent to Lippitt Park off Blackstone Boulevard — opened on Monday for pickup and delivery, offering calamari, pizza, burgers, enchiladas and more. 

Avenue N — which is expanding beyond its current Rumford location — announced:

"The bar is built but no bottles. The tables are in place but no settings. The plates are here but in boxes. It’s not the way we pictured it but our excitement for this announcement remains the same, we’re officially open in Providence as of TODAY! 

Our hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 4pm - 7pm. Visit our website www.avenuenprovidence.com or call us at 401-270-3895. 

Takeout, curbside and delivery is available. The East Side was our home for so many years, we can’t tell you how amazing it feels to be back!!"

NOT

No Loyalty After 50 Years

Gannett, the largest newspaper group in the country, has been slashing staff across the country. Now, the company has reportedly cut one of the Providence Journal's longest-serving employees.

Providence Journal food critic Gail Ciampa tweeted Monday night that the newspaper has laid off Janet Butler, a 50 year veteran of the newspaper just 4 months before her planned retirement.

Ciampa tweeted, "The heart of our newsroom was laid off today. Janet Butler was retiring in [September] after 51 years. She compiled food notes, fundraisers, people in business and other columns. Janet Butler has worked behind the scenes for 50 years."

On January 4, the Providence Journal wrote a feature about Butler, writing, "You’ve only seen Janet Butler’s byline once. She didn’t come to The Providence Journal to be a writer, and she’s only made one exception. But for 50 years, she’s been a behind-the-scenes fixture."

Gannett has been laying journalists across the country over the past week. The newspaper group owns nearly 300 daily newspapers and has lost more than 90% of its stock value in the past year.

NOT

Something in the State House Water

A legislative aide hired by the embattled Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS) at the Rhode Island General Assembly was arrested for the possession of heroin with intent to deliver — and was terminated this week. 

Frank Franco was charged with four felonies, including intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, including heroin. 

Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello’s office -- who controls the JCLS -- commented on the development. 

“Frank Franco was hired on January 10, 2005 (under a different Speaker) and was terminated this past Tuesday, April 28, 2020.  His title was legislative aide and he was assigned to the House operations staff.  His role was general maintenance,” said Mattiello spokesperson Larry Berman. 

“His salary at the time of termination was $49,270.20,” he added. 

According to state campaign finance records, Franco donated to Mattiello — a $200 contribution in 2014 and a $200 contribution in 2016.

NOT

Summer

As a result of the continued spread of the coronavirus in Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo has extended restrictions and banned all gatherings of 50 or more people.

Thus, Bristol's 4th of July Parade is out, Newport's Folk and Jazz Festivals canceled, and on and on...

Summer as we know it is canceled. 

NOT

The Beginning of Many

As GoLocal exclusively reported, the coronavirus has claimed one of Rhode Island's nursing homes.

A 200 bed Rhode Island nursing home has filed for receivership in Rhode Island Superior Court, GoLocal has learned.

The facility -- Hopkins Manor -- is located in North Providence and is locally owned. Anthony Barile is listed in the state filings as the President of the Corporation.

About Receivership

Hopkins Manor has a reported 20-25 coronavirus cases, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

It has had less than five deaths -- RIDOH refuses to release the exact number.

According to the petition filed on Friday, "The Respondents are in need of court intervention because they are suffering financial losses which may result in the inability to pay their debts in the ordinary course of business. The Respondents’ fiscal distress has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a decrease in the Respondents’ already-limited revenues. Moreover, the Respondents recently discovered that certain residents and staff of the Hopkins Manor nursing home have contracted COVID-19, which is expected to further erode the Respondents’ financial condition and outlook. Petitioner believes that there is a risk of corporate assets being wasted or lost."