Rhode Island
Posted inCity & Government

Rhode Island Department of State launches Address Confidentiality Program

by Community Submission

Expanded program enables victims of domestic violence, other crimes to protect their home address
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore today announced the launch of Rhode Island’s Address Confidentiality Program, a mail-forwarding program designed to protect the home addresses of victims of domestic violence.
“I am proud to launch the Address Confidentiality Program and offer these critical supports to the members of our community who have survived domestic violence and other crimes,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “This program will help protect survivors’ personal information and enable them to continue to participate in civic life and other essential business. I encourage all eligible individuals who are interested in the program to apply.”??
The Rhode Island Department of State previously offered a similar program for voting purposes only. Through legislation passed in 2022, sponsored by then-Representative Amore and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dawn Euer, the program has now been expanded to provide mail-forwarding services.
“This program will make safe participation in public life possible for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other abuse, supporting these survivors as they build their futures,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown). “I am proud to have sponsored this legislation, and I thank the Secretary of State’s office for their partnership in implementing this program.”
Program participants will receive a unique identification number and the Address Confidentiality Program Post Office Box address, which can be used as the participant’s substitute address. All first-class, registered, and certified mail received through the Post Office Box on the participant’s behalf will be forwarded to the participant by the Rhode Island Department of State.
“The RICADV envisions a future that is free from violence for all, including survivors of domestic abuse in Rhode Island. When survivors spoke out and shared their stories and need for safety, we were proud that Rhode Islanders listened, and legislators acted,” said Lucy Rios, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “The Address Confidentiality Program provides much-needed protections for survivors and their children who need to feel safe and secure in their new homes after relocating.”
The program is available to victims of domestic violence who have had to move or are planning to move to a new location for safety reasons. Other people living in the same household as the victim, such as children, parents, partners, or siblings, may also be eligible to participate.
Full eligibility information and application materials are available online at www.sos.ri.gov/AddressConfidentialityProgram, or by mail, fax, phone, or email from the Rhode Island Department of State. Assistance completing the application is available through the Rhode Island Department of State as well as partner agencies, including the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
To learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program, visit www.sos.ri.gov/AddressConfidentialityProgram.
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El Departamento de Estado de Rhode Island lanza un programa de confidencialidad de direcciones
El programa ampliado permite a las víctimas de violencia doméstica y otros delitos proteger su dirección residencial
PROVIDENCE, RI – El Secretario de Estado Gregg M. Amore anunció hoy el lanzamiento del Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones de Rhode Island, un programa de reenvío de correo postal diseñado para proteger las direcciones residenciales de las víctimas de violencia doméstica.
“Estoy orgulloso de lanzar el Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones y ofrecer este apoyo fundamental a los miembros de nuestra comunidad que han sobrevivido a la violencia doméstica y otros delitos”, dijo el Secretario de Estado Gregg M. Amore. “Este programa ayudará a proteger la información personal de los sobrevivientes y les permitirá seguir participando en la vida cívica y en otras actividades esenciales. Recomiendo a todas las personas que cumplan con los requisitos y estén interesadas en el programa que lo soliciten”.
El Departamento de Estado de Rhode Island ofreció anteriormente un programa similar solo para fines de votación. A través de la legislación aprobada en el 2022, patrocinado por el entonces Representante Amore y Directora del Comité Jurídico del Senado, la Senadora Dawn Euer, el programa se ha ampliado ahora para proporcionar servicios del reenvío de correo postal.
“Este programa hará posible la participación de forma segura en la vida pública para los supervivientes de la violencia doméstica, agresión sexual y otros abusos, apoyando a estos sobrevivientes a medida que construyen sus futuros”, dijo la Directora del Comité Jurídico del Senado, la Senadora Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown). “Estoy orgullosa de haber patrocinado esta legislación, y agradezco a la oficina del Secretario de Estado por su colaboración en la implementación de este programa”.
Los participantes del programa recibirán un número de identificación único y la dirección del apartado de correos del Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones, el cual podrá utilizarse como dirección sustitutiva del participante. Todo el correo de primera clase, registrado y certificado que se reciba a través del apartado de correos en nombre del participante será reenviado a mismo por el Departamento de Estado de Rhode Island.
“La Coalición de Rhode Island Contra la Violencia Doméstica, RICADV por sus siglas en inglés, ve un futuro libre de violencia para todos, incluidos los sobrevivientes de abuso doméstico en Rhode Island. Cuando los sobrevivientes hablaron y compartieron sus historias y sus necesidades de seguridad, nos sentimos orgullosos de que los habitantes de Rhode Island escucharan y los legisladores actuaran”, dijo Lucy Ríos, Directora Ejecutiva de la Coalición de Rhode Island contra la Violencia Doméstica. “El Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones proporciona protecciones muy necesarias para los sobrevivientes y sus hijos que necesitan sentirse seguros y protegidos en sus nuevos hogares después de mudarse”.
El programa está disponible para las víctimas de violencia doméstica que hayan tenido que mudarse o estén planeando mudarse a un nuevo lugar por razones de seguridad. También pueden participar otras personas que vivan en el mismo hogar que la víctima, como hijos, padres, parejas o hermanos.
La información completa sobre la elegibilidad y los materiales de solicitud están disponibles a través de nuestra página web www.sos.ri.gov/AddressConfidentialityProgram o por correo, fax, teléfono o correo electrónico directamente desde el Departamento de Estado de Rhode Island. El Departamento de Estado de Rhode Island ofrece asistencia para cumplimentar la solicitud, así como las agencias asociadas, incluida la Coalición de Rhode Island contra la Violencia Doméstica.
Para obtener más información sobre el Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones, visite www.sos.ri.gov/AddressConfidentialityProgram.
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Posted inNews

Feds deny emergency call to slow ships, ease whale strikes

by Patrick Whittle | Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. government has denied a request from a group of environmental organizations to immediately apply proposed ship-speed restrictions in an effort to save a vanishing species of whale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is considering new rules designed to stop large ships from colliding with North Atlantic right whales. The whales […]

Posted inBusiness

Del’s Lemonade franchise, a Middletown deli, a profitable sandwich shop, and other businesses that are currently for sale in Rhode Island

by Ryan Belmore

The latest business and commercial listings show all kinds of businesses currently for sale in Rhode Island. Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business. The names and locations are generally left out, but there are […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Newport Mansions invites visitors to ‘Live the Drama’

by Ryan Belmore

The Preservation Society of Newport County has launched Live the Drama, an advertising campaign that shines a light on one of the most fascinating aspects of the Newport Mansions: the dramatic lives of the wealthy families who resided in them. The Preservation Society has partnered with Nail Communications, an award-winning creative agency based in Providence, which proposed […]

Posted inCity & Government

New Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center opens

by Ryan Belmore

Federal, statewide, and local officials on Monday celebrated the opening of the new Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center, a rail-bus center that will provide a combination of commuter rail and bus services in an emerging area of transit-oriented economic development in Pawtucket and Central Falls. The center will allow riders to switch modes of transportation easily […]

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Tiverton student named to Fall 2022 Provost’s List at Hofstra University

by Ryan Belmore

Hofstra University has released its Provost’s List for the Fall 2022 semester, and a student from Newport County has made the list. Rebecca Vaillancourt, of Tiverton, earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the Fall 2022 semester, earning a spot on the Provost’s List at Hofstra University. Rebecca’s major is Criminology. Hofstra University is an internationally ranked […]

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Senator Whitehouse visits Ukraine, joins bipartisan effort to hold Russia accountable for war crimes

by Ryan Belmore

A bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators, led by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) returned from Ukraine, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to discuss ways to encourage Ukraine’s victory against Russia’s brutal and unjust invasion, and to coordinate about legal accountability for Russia’s […]

Posted inCity & Government

Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (Jan. 21 – 28)

by Ryan Belmore

The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority January 22 – 28, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Right Lane Closure- 1/23- 7 am […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rep. McGaw Introduces legislation to protect Rhode Island from plastic industry’s ‘Advanced Recycling’

by Ryan Belmore

Representative Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) has introduced legislation to the Rhode Island state legislature that would prohibit the construction of any new high-heat waste processing facilities in the state. The legislation, which has 40 cosponsors, is a response to efforts by the American Chemistry Council, a plastics industry advocacy group, to […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Crafting Series precedes 2023 ‘Inspired Craft’ exhibition at Little Compton Historical Society

by Community Submission

Local craftmakers and artisans are offering a  series of workshops with individualized instruction this winter and spring in anticipation of the Little Compton Historical Society’s 2023 Inspired Craft exhibition. Participants of all experience levels, including those trying a craft for the first time, are encouraged to attend. The first two workshops offer textile weaving and […]

Posted inCity & Government

All Rhode Island Counties now at ‘Medium’ level for COVID-19 spread

by Community Submission

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the COVID-19 community levels for Rhode Island’s counties. All five counties are now at the “medium” level. (Providence County had the “high” designation previously.)
Each week the CDC identifies the COVID-19 community level in every county in the country as “low,” “medium,” or “high” using case rates, data on hospital admissions, and percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Regardless of the designation of someone’s county, everyone should take certain prevention measures.
– Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses. The Omicron booster doses currently being administered are providing good protection against the dominant variant circulating in Rhode Island.
– Ventilate indoor spaces as well as possible.
– Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
– Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
– Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
– If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
Additionally, CDC recommends that people in “medium” counties consider self-testing and masking when around those who are at high risk for getting very sick. The full recommendations by community level from the CDC are available online.

Posted inNews

TSA: Record number of firearms detected at New England airports in 2022

by Ryan Belmore

 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week announced that officers at six New England airports detected a record 46 firearms in 2022, three more than the previous record of 43 in 2018. The increase in firearms detected at New England airports mirrored what happened around the country. Throughout 2022, TSA officers nationwide detected a record 6,542 firearms in […]

Posted inCity & Government

The Light Foundation and DEM set to team up for 3rd Annual Mentored Youth Wild Turkey Hunt

by Community Submission

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Light Foundation is teaming up with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for their third annual mentored youth wild turkey hunt this spring. The two-day event, set for April 21-22, is free and open to youths 12 to 15, whether they are first-time or proficient hunters.
The event kicks off with a welcome dinner on Friday, April 21, at Addieville East Farm in Mapleville. Youth hunters will meet and spend time with their mentors and participate in an orientation that covers topics like firearm safety and hunting rules and regulations. Participants also will learn how to sight their firearms. The next day, youths paired with experienced mentors will hunt for wild turkey. This will be followed by lunch and tutorials on proper field dressing and harvesting techniques.
A current RI hunting license and a turkey tag are required to participate. Space is limited and those interested in participating must apply to The Light Foundation by March 10. To heighten their success and productivity in the program, applicants are required to submit a writing assignment that focuses on how they remain focused and tune out distractions. For more information about the event, contact Brandi Turner at The Light Foundation, at 937-316-6352.
“Teaming up with three-time Super Bowl Champion Matt Light, Susie Light, and The Light Foundation is a terrific opportunity for DEM and youth hunters in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Mentored hunts teach responsibility and stewardship for natural resources. We’re grateful that The Light Foundation is committed to empowering young people to experience and enjoy the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of the responsible hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and leaders.”
The Light Foundation was founded in 2001 by former NFL New England Patriot player Matt Light and his wife, Susie. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people develop the skills, values, and mindset they need to create a meaningful and productive future. Matt Light will be on hand for the event and plans to attend the welcome dinner and serve as a mentor on the day of the youth hunt.
Along with DEM, program sponsors include the Thompson Center, Addieville East Farm, and Pheasant Ridge Lodge. Statewide in Rhode Island, the youth turkey hunting season is April 18-24, provide a chance for 12 to 15-year-olds a chance to hunt wild turkey. Youth hunters are required to possess a current Rhode Island hunting license and a turkey tag. Parents or guardians assisting youths are prohibited from possessing a firearm and hunting during the youth wild turkey hunting days.
Hunter education is offered as part of the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program. Safety training is required by law in Rhode Island for beginning hunters. To date, more than 40,000 people have completed a hunter safety course in Rhode Island, helping to reduce related accidents in the state and elsewhere. A complete schedule of hunter educational offerings is available at www.dem.ri.gov.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Follow DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, Instagram (@ri.fishandwildlife) or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Posted inNews

What’s Up Today: Thursday, January 19

by Ryan Belmore

Good Morning! Today is Thursday, January 19, 2023. Today’s newsletter is 1,063 words – approximately a 5-minute read. 🛢️ On this day in 1996, the worst oil spill in Rhode Island history occurred when the tank barge, North Cape, and the tugboat, Scandia, grounded off Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown. The grounding occurred after the […]

Posted inCity & Government

Mass. firm charged with illegally dumping contaminated fill

by The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Massachusetts construction company and a former employee have been charged with illegally dumping thousands of tons of contaminated fill in Providence during a highway construction project, the Rhode Island attorney general’s office said Wednesday. Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., of Canton, is charged with two counts of illegal disposal of solid […]

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Adoptable Cat of the Week: Kitty

by Ryan Belmore

Meet your new best friend, Kitty– this week’s Adoptable Cat of the Week! Kitty is a male Domestic Shorthair, approximately eight-years-old. Here’s what Potter League had to say about Kitty; “Kitty is the name and big purrs are my game! I am a very handsome man always dressed impeccably in my tuxedo. I am declawed […]

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