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What to know about Providence: Big Blue Bug, State House dome, Benefit Street
Fun fact: There are more donut and coffee shops per capita in Providence than anywhere else in the U.S.
Commercial insurer FM is buying the downtown Providence office building that’s home to Brightstar, the lottery company formerly known as IGT.
The 10-story office building at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Francis Street “will serve as a strategic addition to its growing business and global office footprint,” FM said in a news release announcing the purchase Thursday, Feb. 19.
FM paid $68.5 million for the 202,000 square-foot building, the company said.
The previous owner was an affiliate of Boston-based Tritower Financial Group, which bought the building for $51.5 million in 2012, according to Providence Assessors Records.
FM said it “intends to occupy a portion” of the building. It did not mention how many FM employees will work there and when.
Brightstar, which changed its name from International Game Technology last year, is not leaving the building.
“We are pleased to welcome FM to downtown Providence as the new owner of 10 Memorial Boulevard, which is the home of our global lottery headquarters,” Brightstar spokesman Mike DeAngelis wrote in an email.
Rhode Island awarded IGT a 20-year contract to run the state’s lottery business and provide slot machines to its casinos in 2021.
The deal included strict local employment requirements.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Senate President Valarie Lawson and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi celebrated the sale in the news release.
FM, formerly known as FM Global, is based in Johnston and is one of the state’s largest employers.
“This investment reflects FM’s confidence in Rhode Island and our commitment to creating spaces that attract world-class talent and strengthen client relationships,” Randy Hodge, chief operating officer of FM, said in the release. “FM has been proud to call Rhode Island home for nearly 200 years, and this expansion in the state’s capital is a natural choice for our next chapter of growth.”
This story has been updated with new information.
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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