Rhode Island

Challenger calls for R.I. Senate president to ‘pass the torch,’ while Ruggerio calls it a ‘cheap shot’ – The Boston Globe

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

Challenger calls for R.I. Senate president to ‘pass the torch,’ while Ruggerio calls it a ‘cheap shot’ – The Boston Globe

Spokesman Greg Pare said Ruggerio missed Thursday’s fundraiser in Warwick because he will be undergoing “a minor procedure” next week to alleviate jaw pain stemming from a case of shingles. He said the decision had nothing to do with the cancer Ruggerio was battling earlier in the year.

“He is recovering well from the cancer,” Pare said. “He was advised by his doctors not to go to fundraisers. They don’t want him in crowds because there are viruses going around. Nonetheless, he was planning to go, but his staff insisted he heed his doctors’ advice.”

Cioe, a registered nurse who lost Senate District 4 primaries to Ruggerio in 2020 and 2022, issued a statement earlier Thursday, “For the past few months Ruggerio has been nowhere to be seen, completely absent from representing Senate District 4 in our state Senate.”

He cited news stories about how Ruggerio did not attend Senate sessions for six weeks as he was battling cancer, the flu, and shingles. He said District 4 residents “demand and deserve responsive, accountable and professional representation up at the State House.”

“Last week we saw an act of incredible political courage by President Joe Biden, when he decided to step down from the race for president and pass the torch to Kamala Harris,” Cioe said. “Biden stepped down for the country. Dominick Ruggerio needs to do the same for Rhode Island.”

But Ruggerio, who has represented Senate District 4 since 1985, reiterated that he remained “deeply involved” in Senate business even as he dealt with medical issues during the last legislative session, and he said he has run a “robust campaign” this summer.

“This is the type of negative politics that people are sick of,” Ruggerio said of Cioe’s statement. “I am not surprised in the least that my opponent would prefer not to have to face me at the ballot box. He knows he can’t win.”

The response from Ruggerio’s campaign included quotes from House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley, state Representative Arthur J. Corvese, state Senator David P. Tikoian, and North Providence Town Council President Dino Autiello.

For example, Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, said, “President Ruggerio is a wonderful friend and a truly outstanding partner at the State House. I know the most recent session was challenging for him, but he was just as deeply engaged in our work as he has always been — maybe even more than ever, based on how often the two of us spoke.”

Corvese, a North Providence Democrat, said, “What is most appalling to me about Mr. Cioe’s stunt (Thursday) is the complete lack of compassion and understanding being shown by a registered nurse.” He said Ruggerio “has a physical medical condition, from which he is expected to make a full recovery. Mentally, he is as sharp as ever, and I have continued to work closely with him daily to deliver results for our constituents.”

And Tikoian, a Smithfield Democrat and former North Providence police chief said, “I underwent a serious medical procedure which prevented me from attending a few session days in person, as well. Should I not run for reelection? What a shameful assertion.”

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.

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Rhode Island

How did La Salle win another state title? Having an ace up its sleeve.

Published

5 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Press Room

How did La Salle win another state title? Having an ace up its sleeve.

PROVIDENCE – The result was so obvious, everyone should have seen it coming.

That’s because Hailey Vigneau doesn’t lose big games.

The La Salle softball team might have been hammered by Chariho during their regular season matchups, but none of that mattered in the postseason. The state’s seen plenty of big-time pitchers, but none that have won like Vigneau. Saturday’s championship game against Chariho only added to her legacy, as she took care of things in the circle, Nikki Pallotta led the offense and the 5-2 win gave the Rams their fourth straight state title.

“We just know how hard we work,” Vigneau said. “We know we have each other. We know how supportive of each other we are. We just know that our team, in the end, will come out on top.”

Softball pitchers are supposed to strike fear with fastballs and sit batters down faster than they can get up to plate. You won’t find many teams that say they’re afraid of Vigneau, but you also won’t find any teams that have beaten her in a game that matters most.

The La Salle senior – who will pitch at Marist next spring – didn’t look bothered by the magnitude of the game she was pitching. If Chariho beat the Rams – which it had done twice this season – that meant an if-game where momentum would be on the Chargers side.

It seemed like a possibility, provided you ignored the fact that Vigneau has never lost a playoff game and wasn’t about to start in her senior season.

Vigneau made one mistake pitch that Adriana Jeannenot hit to outer space, a two-run blast that tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. She took the ball from the umpire, then retired the next batter to end the inning and get her offense on the field.

“I just have to focus on the next one. I can’t dwell on it,” said Vigneau, who gave up four hits and walked two while striking out eight. “Now I can reflect on it, fix what I know I messed up on.

“I didn’t even look. I didn’t turn my head.”

The bats went out and supported their ace. Pallotta had the go-ahead hit, a two-run double that scored Izzy Dong and Samantha Sell. While Pallotta and the Rams struggled to hit Jeannenot in clutch moments in the regular season, it was clear they figured something out.

“Their pitcher is really good and she shut us down in the first game,” said Pallotta, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs Saturday. “In the second game we started to pick up some hits, we started to learn a lot.

“We were lucky enough to play them twice, we got a lot of data off of that and so when we came into RIC … we had a lot of information and we used it.”

Armed with a 5-2 lead, Vigneau took care of things. The home run was a distant memory and when Alaina Valuk led off the fifth with a single, Vigneau barely noticed. She was in control and remained calm, right up until the final out was recorded, ending her career with a fourth straight title celebration.

“I just pitch one pitch at a time, no matter what the situation is in the game,” Vigneau said. “I can’t focus too much on the big win ahead, just one pitch at a time.”

Chariho was emotional after the loss and why wouldn’t it be? The Chargers entered the season with so much promise, finally got over the hump of beating La Salle and then did it twice in this spring.

But the two playoff losses – Saturday as well as the winners’ bracket final – showed that Chariho still has some work to do to in order to get that title the program wants. The loss will only help inspire the Chargers to keep chasing it next season.

“We had a phenomenal season. I’ve never been more proud of this team,” Jeannenot said. “… It definitely pushes us to go for even bigger things. This year our main thing was to beat La Salle, now I feel like we can have even bigger goals and we can have more success.”

This was supposed to be the year La Salle lost. The Rams graduated all that offensive talent, there’s no way they can overpower teams anymore.

Turns out La Salle didn’t need to. It had a secret weapon who shouldn’t have been so secret and closes her career as the most clutch pitcher Rhode Island has ever seen.

“Without her we probably wouldn’t be here at all,” Pallotta said. “She’s been the ace for the last four years and she always comes up when we need her and she shuts them down.”

“I just enjoyed my time with the girls. Whatever happens, happens, but we just work hard and have fun,” Vigneau said. “I couldn’t have imagined this whatsoever.”

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Rhode Island

Police investigating suspicious death in Cumberland

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Press Room

Police investigating suspicious death in Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) – Police in Cumberland are investigating what officials are classifying at this time as a suspicious death.

Investigators have been on the scene at 46 E Barrow St. all day, with detectives in and out of the home.

The Rhode Island State Police sent their mobile crime lab to the scene. The entire house is taped off.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as we work to gather more information.

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Rhode Island

Here’s your Rhode Island high school sports schedule for Super Saturday

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2026

Press Room

Here’s your Rhode Island high school sports schedule for Super Saturday

Super Saturday has arrived.

Today is the busiest day of the 2026 RIIL spring sports schedule, with championships being play at Rhode Island College and Brown University. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball and track and field athletes will all be chasing gold.

It’s a lot of keep track of, so here’s a handy schedule of the day’s events to keep your head from spinning.