Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | RI Suspends Mental Health Counselor’s License for Having Romantic Relationship With Student
Monday, August 07, 2023
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has suspended the license of a health professional — for having a relationship with an underage student.
According to RIDOH, Celine Viscera — a licensed mental health counselor — had been working at a school in Exeter.
“While employed in that capacity, Vescera provided mental health counseling to a student under the age of 18 (Patient A),” according to RIDOH.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE — SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Vescera’s LinkedIn profile shows that using that time, she was employed at the Exeter Jobs Corps Center.
RIDOH continued:
“While providing counseling service to Patient A in the course of her employment, Vescera engaged in a romantic relationship with Patient A, in violation of the NBCC Code of Ethics, as adopted by the Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists,” stated RIDOH.
Involvement of State Police
Following the discovery of the relationship, RIDOH said it received multiple reports of inappropriate contact from school staff, relatives, and the Rhode Island State Police.
According to RIDOH, further investigation confirmed that Vescera had indeed engaged in a romantic relationship with Patient A — and that Viscera “knowingly submitted false statements to RIDOH in an effort to conceal the relationship, mislead RIDOH regarding her unprofessional conduct, and impede the investigation.”
The Director of RIDOH reviewed the facts and conclusions in this case and further found that “public health, safety, or welfare imperatively required emergency action.”
According to RIDOH, who suspended Vescera’s license on Friday August 4, a hearing on disciplinary charges is “forthcoming.”
Viscera did not respond to request for comment.
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 19, 2025
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 19, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 19 drawing
08-24-35-43-46, Lucky Ball: 04
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 19 drawing
Midday: 7-6-3-9
Evening: 4-0-9-1
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 19 drawing
07-12-29-34-35, Extra: 15
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Rhode Island
Parking bans ahead of snow for Southern New England | ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Severe cold weather that is expected for Jan. 19 has caused some communities to put parking bans into effect.
- Cumberland: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Burrillville: 12 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- West Warwick: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Scituate: 12 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Putnam: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- University of Rhode Island: a partial ban from 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Swansea: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 8 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- Fall River: 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- Pawtucket: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
- Woonsocket: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 2 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Warren: 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- Cranston: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Bristol: 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Central Falls: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
- North Providence: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- North Kingstown: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- Seekonk: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Lincoln: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Smithfield: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Johnston: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 until 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Providence: 10 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- East Providence: 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
- Warwick: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Raynham: 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 8 a.m. on Jan. 20.
- Coventry: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
- Taunton: 10 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Parking ban updates can be found here as well.
Rhode Island
Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI
Crime families in Rhode Island
A look back at some Rhode Island and New England mobsters.
Journal Staff
Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy certainly loves a good pizza.
In 2024, Portnoy went all over the state and reviewed the pizzas of four Rhode Island establishments as part of his online show: One Bite Pizza Reviews.
Portnoy grades a pizza shop off his personal criteria: the store-owners’ vibes and the attitude of the patrons eating there, the ambience and atmosphere of the place and, arguably the most important part: the quality of the pie.
Lower ratings on Portnoy’s scale tend to be around 6.0 to 7.5, with the highest ratings being in the 8’s and 9’s.
Here are 2024’s best pizza restaurants in the state, according to Portnoy’s pizza reviews.
4. Merlino’s Pizzeria — Cranston, Rhode Island
Most of this review was Portnoy complaining about the then-recent backlash he received for his comments on the return of Ed Cooley, a former Providence College basketball coach.
Concerning Merlino’s Pizzeria at 889 Dyer Ave, he said it was good and that the pie had “Papa Gino’s vibes.”
He gave Merlino’s Pizzeria an 7.4 out of 10.
“Good, middle-of-the-road pizza,” Portnoy said.
3. D. Palmieri’s Bakery — Johnston, Rhode Island
At first, Portnoy got pizza strips from D. Palmieri’s Bakery at 624 Killingly St., having been told to review the local classic. He tried a cold pizza strip and said it was an acquired taste, giving the Rhode Island delicacy a 5.8.
“If this is Providence food, then everybody’s going hungry,” Portnoy said.
The owner then came out and convinced Portnoy to try their hot bakery pizza.
After approximately 10 minutes of waiting and locals taking selfies with Portnoy, the actual pizza came. Portnoy took a couple bites and gave it a 7.5, complimenting the crispy crust.
“I’m glad I tried this,” Portnoy said.
2. Nice Slice Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island
Visiting Nice Slice Pizzeria at 767 Westminster St, Portnoy took one bite and exclaimed “nice,” following up with a “no pun intended,” commenting that he was glad that he and his team picked Nice Slice.
“I take back Providence not having good pizza,” Portnoy said. “This is really good.”
He gave Nice Slice a 7.7.
1. Francesco’s Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island
This Providence spot was the standout champion of One Bite Reviews in 2024 in Rhode Island; the restaurant owners heralded Portnoy’s arrival with a sign saying “We Want Portnoy.”
Portnoy said he really liked the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria at 357 Hope St. He was surprised by his enjoyment of the pizza, calling it a distant relative of a New Haven pizza.
“This is as good as you can really get from me without getting to the eights,” Portnoy said.
He gave the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria a 7.9.
-
Science1 week ago
Metro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
Technology1 week ago
Amazon Prime will shut down its clothing try-on program
-
Technology1 week ago
L’Oréal’s new skincare gadget told me I should try retinol
-
Technology5 days ago
Super Bowl LIX will stream for free on Tubi
-
Business6 days ago
Why TikTok Users Are Downloading ‘Red Note,’ the Chinese App
-
Technology3 days ago
Nintendo omits original Donkey Kong Country Returns team from the remaster’s credits
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump to be sentenced in New York criminal trial
-
Culture2 days ago
American men can’t win Olympic cross-country skiing medals — or can they?