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Activists from the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Mission (RIHAP), Housing Alternatives for Individuals All over the place (HOPE), and Direct Motion for Rights and Equality (DARE) have been exterior the workplace of Governor Daniel McKee on the second ground of the Rhode Island State Home to protest the Governor’s failure to handle the looming unsheltered homelessness disaster. Rhode Island supplied over 500 lodge and emergency winter shelter beds because of the Covid-19 disaster, however those that have occupied these beds at the moment are being compelled out as funding expires.
Based on the state’s Homeless Administration Info System, over the 2 weeks ending April 16, 255 people have been reported as residing exterior in Rhode Island. This quantity will improve as individuals are compelled to depart winter shelter. These evicted from these beds have nowhere to go, as there are 932 people on ready lists for particular person and household shelter together with 544 adults, and 388 people in 117 households with kids.
The Governor lately advised homeless advocates that this downside can wait till fall for an answer. Advocates counter that these compelled onto the road can not wait that lengthy. Individuals can die on the road because of warmth, not simply the chilly. A number of folks spoke exterior the workplace of the Governor, who was attending one other occasion within the State Home on the time and left via a aspect exit rapidly afterwards.
“I’ve been housed for the final 9 months because of the funding that was in a position to be supplied to us at the moment… Because of me being housed… I’m now a university pupil at Southern New Hampshire College.”
“I used to be homeless for about six years. I used to be on dialysis whereas I used to be homeless. It was a really robust time. This isn’t a brand new challenge. There are individuals who have been homeless for over 20 years that I’ve seen with my bare eyes,” stated Cedric Russell, now a candidate for Windfall Metropolis Council.
“Proper now I’m completely happy as a result of me and my daughter have a spot to reside. I didn’t need her to be born on the streets…”
“We admire the Governor’s motion in creating emergency shelter throughout final winter. He should now be sure that the a whole lot of individuals, people and households, in these beds usually are not compelled exterior once more,” stated Professor Eric Hirsch of Windfall School, Co-Chair of the state’s Homeless Administration Info System Steering Committee. “If they’re, the prices to them and to the state as an entire might be unprecedented. We’ve got greater than sufficient American Rescue Plan funds to supply these shelter beds and everlasting housing.”
“Most of these at this protest can go residence tonight. Many others can’t. Sadly, for our associates, residing exterior has change into a lifestyle,” stated Barbara Freitas, Head of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Mission and somebody who has skilled unsheltered homelessness herself. “And it shouldn’t be. We’re right here to guarantee that the Governor is aware of that and acts now to get roofs over folks’s heads. We won’t settle for yet one more evening of individuals compelled to sleep exterior!”
Activists assert that state authorities has not adequately addressed this pressing disaster. The Governor’s workplace and the Normal Meeting should present management and intervene now to search out options. Non-profits can not do that alone. The Governor should:
Amongst these collaborating within the protest have been Matt Brown, candidate for Rhode Island Governor and State Senator Cynthia Mendes (Democrat, District 18, East Windfall), who’s working for Lieutenant Governor.
Local News
A Rhode Island man is facing charges after allegedly body slamming an Attleboro mother of two during a suspected road rage incident Friday, according to court records.
Police responded near Newport Avenue at Highland Avenue in Attleboro just before 9 a.m. on Friday, where they found Hailea Soare on the ground, bleeding and crying, according to a police report filed in Attleboro District Court.
Gladior Kwesiah, of Pawtucket, was arrested without incident and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, vandalism of property, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to court dockets.
Multiple witnesses told police that Kwesiah and Soares were arguing outside their cars after her vehicle allegedly rear-ended his vehicle at the intersection, according to the report.
All three witnesses allege that Kwesiah, 26, “body slammed” her onto the pavement, while two told police that he also stepped on her glasses that fell to the ground. One witness said that Soares “smacked” Kwesiah before he picked her up, lifted her over his head, and dropped her on her head, according to police.
The body slam can be seen in videos shared by local news stations. The police report notes that Soares is 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, while Kwesiah is 6 foot 3 inches and more than 300 pounds.
Soares was transported to Study Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for a fractured knee, fractured foot, and head laceration, according to police.
She also suffered damage to her eye socket and “a serious skull injury,” a GoFundMe started by her family said. The fundraiser has collected more than $18,000 from nearly 500 donors out of its $30,000 goal, as of Sunday evening.
“As a single mother of two young children, Hailea now faces an uphill battle – physically, emotionally, and financially,” the GoFundMe said. “These injuries will keep her out of work for months. The financial strain of medical bills, therapy costs, and providing for her children is overwhelming.”
Kwesiah was held in the Bristol County House of Correction after not posting bail on Friday.
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A man who stole an unoccupied cruiser in Rhode Island was stopped on Route 2 in Preston after a chase early Saturday morning, according to Connecticut State Police.
Connecticut State Police was notified about a stolen Providence, Rhode Island, police cruiser on Interstate 95 South crossing into Connecticut from Rhode Island around 2:30 a.m.
The stolen cruiser was reportedly seen on I-95 south near exit 89, but then took the exit 88 off ramp to Route 117 in Groton as it saw another Connecticut State Police cruiser approaching.
Multiple Connecticut State Police cruisers turned on their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the stolen cruiser. According to Connecticut State Police, the stolen cruiser was traveling over 100 mph at times on Route 117.
Ledyard Police Department was then notified and deployed stop sticks near Route 117 and Route 2a. The stolen cruiser slowed to a stop near Route 2a and the driver was taken into custody.
The 27-year-old man from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is facing charges including reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, failure to drive in the proper lane, larceny and interfering with officer/resisting. He was not able to post the $50,000 bond and is due in court on Monday.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2025, results for each game:
26-32-43-54-56, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
03-09-27-29-33, Lucky Ball: 06
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 5-8-4-4
Evening: 1-2-7-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
13-16-19-23-33, Extra: 30
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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.
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