"Missing Narragansett cane found on eBay
A ceremonial gold-tipped cane given to the town of Narragansett more than a century ago has been found, 24 years after it disappeared. The cane was found at a consignment shop near East Greenwich and placed on eBay for a short time before history buffs figured out what it was. Lincoln antiques dealer Bill Wolstenholme presented the cane to Narragansett’s Town Council Monday night. The cane and about 700 like it were given to towns throughout New England by the now-defunct Boston Post newspaper during a promotion that began in 1909. Officials then gave the canes to their towns’ oldest residents, whose names were inscribed on them. When a cane holder died, it was to be given to the next oldest resident."
"Central Falls schools get $10m Gates loan
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving a $10 million low-cost loan to help increase the number of seats available in charter schools in and around the distressed community of Central Falls. On Tuesday, the foundation announced the funding, which will be used to provide low- and no-interest loans for projects that increase the availability of seats available in high-performing schools to students from Central Falls. Officials said they could ultimately leverage the money for $50 million in building projects. Five to seven schools could be helped."
Also see: The Falls of Rhode Island
