"Properties restored as homes for veterans
A Rhode Island nonprofit group is set to open its newest homes for homeless veterans in Johnson. Senior state officials are expected to join Operation Stand Down Rhode Island executives Monday to unveil its $1.3 million project that converted two distressed properties into six new homes. The units on Hartford Avenue will provide homeless veterans access to support services run by the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The homes will be named to honor the memories of Joan Louise Mayo of the US Air Force; John Arthur Johnson of the Navy; and the Army’s Ronald Blake, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1965."
Homeless veterans are a national scandal and disgrace.
"Police say R.I. teacher took boy to Miami
Miami Beach police say a Providence elementary school teacher faces a felony criminal charge after allegedly taking a 15-year-old boy from Rhode Island to Florida without his parents’ knowledge. The police report said David Jones, 56, of Cranston, was arrested Wednesday after the youth was reported missing in Rhode Island. The report said the boy’s parents later learned he was in Miami Beach with Jones, who was charged with interference with custody. The boy told authorities that his parents did not consent to his trip to Florida and that Jones wanted to have a sexual relationship with him, according to police. Jones has been placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from Providence schools spokeswoman Christina O’Reilly. Miami-Dade jail records showed that Jones was being held on $9,000 bond (AP)."
"R.I. may repeal pet-grooming tax
A group of House lawmakers has introduced a bill to repeal Rhode Island’s recently enacted 7 percent tax on pet grooming and other services. Pet groomers have said the tax, which began Oct. 1, would hurt business. Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Democrat from Warwick, has introduced a bill that would repeal the tax. He said the amount of tax the state will collect is negligible and could mean some small businesses can’t stay open. Several lawmakers said when the tax passed that it was needed to balance the budget."
Tell the billions-per-quarter banks to bite the bullet on a debt interest payment this month then.
"Bookkeeper accused of stealing from Sundluns
A bookkeeper accused of stealing from deceased former Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun and his wife was arraigned in Kent County Superior Court in Warwick. Teresa Roby was arraigned Friday on three counts larceny over $1,500, two counts of forgery, and other charges. Roby is accused of taking $21,000 from Sundlun, his wife, Soozie, and her East Greenwich photography business. Roby has denied the charges, and after she was arrested told WJAR-TV in July that she was authorized to use the money. Sundlun, who was governor from 1991 to 1995, died in 2011."
No wonder they needed money to balance the budget.
Also see: In wake of tragedy in R.I., a push for safety
