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Love stinks – literally.
Whether you’ve been dumped, ghosted, catfished, disrespected, cheated on, or hurt in any way, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants to offer some “stinky retripootion” this Valentine’s Day.
For a $5 donation, the animal shelter will write the name of any ex-lover, situationship-no-more, or friend-turned-foe on a paper heart and leave it in a litter box for shelter cats to poop on.
Perhaps, it’s not even spurned love that you want to bury deep into some kitty litter. Maybe it’s cancer, diet culture, dementia, or something else that has poisoned your life.
Whatever it is, the Rhode Island SPCA invites you to write it down and let the cats take care of the rest.


As of Monday morning, the shelter had raised more than $5,750 and received more than 830 submissions, according to Stephanie Van Patten, director of community engagement.
The campaign, which runs through Feb. 14, has reached 39 states, the U.K., Canada, and Australia, she added.
Given the success of the campaign so far, the SPCA plans to repeat it again in the future and may even tweak it to incorporate the shelter’s dogs, Van Patten said.
When asked if the cats have taken notice of the paper hearts in their litter boxes, Van Patten noted that they are definitely intrigued by the paper and even play with the hearts sometimes, but they don’t seem bothered by them.
The shelter plans to post photos and videos of the litter boxes on its social media feeds closer to Valentine’s Day.
To learn more, visit rispa.org or check out the “Love Stinks” campaign.
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Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.
The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.
The Providence parade is March 21.
We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!
Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:
Local News
A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.
Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.
Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.
At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.
The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said.
Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.
Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.
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CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.
The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.
Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)
“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”
The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.
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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.
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