Providence residents are grappling with a range of local and national stories this week, from the aftermath of a shooting in Pawtucket to a decades-old plan for a subway system that never materialized. The Providence Journal has highlighted these and other key developments, offering a snapshot of the issues facing the city and state.
The shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink remains a central focus, alongside ongoing discussions about safety and security in public spaces. The incident has prompted reflection on gun laws and access to firearms in Rhode Island, with questions raised about whether the shooter could have legally carried a weapon.
Beyond the immediate concerns of public safety, a fascinating look back at Providence’s history reveals a little-known ambition: a subway system proposed in 1913. Inspired by the success of Boston’s subway, then-Mayor Joseph Gainer envisioned a similar network to alleviate congestion and elevate Providence’s status. Detailed maps were even commissioned, but the project ultimately stalled, giving way to highway construction. The Journal’s Patrick Anderson delves into the reasons why this ambitious plan was derailed, and how that decision continues to shape the city today.
The debate over beach access in Westerly continues to unfold, with Save The Bay warning that the legal battle over the Spring Avenue Extension could drag on for years. The contested right-of-way, which activists believe should be open to the public, remains blocked, limiting access to a 1.7-mile stretch of Quonochontaug Barrier Beach. The Coastal Resources Management Council is tasked with resolving the dispute, but a swift resolution appears unlikely.
Concerns are also surfacing in Rhode Island school districts regarding potential ties between school photo company Lifetouch and Jeffrey Epstein. While Lifetouch itself is not directly named in the Epstein files, its parent company, Shutterfly, is owned by Apollo Global Management, whose former CEO, Leon Black, is mentioned in the files. This connection has sparked anxieties among parents, leading some districts to review their contracts with Lifetouch. A recent visit Epstein made to Newport in 2014, bringing along young women, is also under scrutiny.
In Pawtucket, Mayor Donald Grebien is facing his most significant electoral challenge in 15 years. Adam Greenman, a former Teach For America alum, is mounting a primary challenge, focusing on what he perceives as lost opportunities for the city under Grebien’s leadership. The race promises to be a closely watched contest, testing Grebien’s long-held grip on the mayor’s office.
Columnist Mark Patinkin reflects on a more subtle loss for New England: the impending closure of the Cape Cod potato chip factory in Hyannis. Campbell’s Soup, which acquired the brand in 2018, is moving production out of state, prompting Patinkin to lament the loss of authenticity and the erosion of regional brands. He questions whether a Cape Cod chip made in Wisconsin will carry the same appeal as one produced locally.
Other stories making headlines include a North Smithfield man sentenced to 17 years for a fatal DUI crash, a $95,000 expenditure by Providence to scrutinize the city’s response to a shooting involving Brown University students, and a fundraiser established for a Brown student who died at a residence hall. Johnston police have also made an arrest in a stolen snowplow caper. Residents are also preparing for a weekend coastal storm and learning about the ongoing hiring spree at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility.
The week’s news also includes updates on legal proceedings, with a Westerly property sale leading to a lawyer’s disbarment. The Station nightclub fire, a tragic event in Rhode Island’s history, continues to be remembered, with resources available for those seeking to learn more about the disaster and visit the Station Fire Memorial Park. Finally, Rhode Island state workers are awaiting information on owed pay, and the state is grappling with the collective grief following two recent mass shootings.
