PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien was sworn in for his eighth term Monday night, and shared his pitch to keep Hasbro in Rhode Island.

Years after the Pawtucket Red Sox left for Worcester, the city now faces the threat of another Pawtucket staple leaving town: Hasbro, Inc.

“Right now we’ve been having those honest conversations with them,” said Grebien. “They seem to be on hold for a little bit.”

Hasbro, a member of the Fortune 500, has been rooted in Rhode Island for nearly a century.

It’s headquarters are currently located in Pawtucket, but the company’s leadership is flirting with a move to Massachusetts.

“We’ve made it clear through the leadership on the council, myself, and our state delegation that we want them here,” Grebien said. “They belong in Pawtucket, we’re gonna do what we can to make that happen.”

Grebien said a major part of the Pawtucket’s pitch to Hasbro is a new hub developing in the city, focused around train service and the city’s new professional soccer team.

“We want to have them partner with the commuter rail and with Tidewater Stadium,” Grebien said. “To have an active zone where we’re developing, and they’ll be a part of that ground-up development.”

Grebien said he believes Rhode Island is the best fit for Hasbro.

“If they go to Mass., it really is about them, they’re lost in Mass,” he said. “Here they’re a big fish in a little pond, and I think they realize that.

“At the end of the day they’ve got to do what’s right for them,” Grebien continued. “We’ll support them either way.”

Governor Dan McKee has also been in communication with Hasbro, as officials attempt to keep the company in Rhode Island.

The I-195 Redevelopment District offered Hasbro exclusive rights to buy an acre of land in Providence for $1.

Hasbro has not yet responded publicly to the offer.

Rhode Island law enforcement didn’t take a holiday break during the New Year’s season, making 108 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) between December 27, 2024, and January 5, 2025. The crackdown was a collaborative effort among all 38 municipal police departments and the Rhode Island State Police, aimed at keeping roads safe during the busy holiday period.

“I’m proud of the work that our police officers are doing to keep our roadways safe, but at the same time, these numbers are deeply concerning,” said Colonel Bradford Connor, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Warwick Chief of Police. “Driving under the influence is never acceptable, and our message is clear: if you choose to drink or use cannabis and drive, you will be caught, and you will be arrested. This holiday season, 108 people learned that the hard way and will spend the next months—and years—dealing with the consequences.”

Harsh Penalties for a Costly Mistake

Rhode Island’s DUI laws carry significant penalties for offenders. A first-time DUI conviction can result in:

• A jail sentence of up to one year at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI).
• License suspension lasting 3 to 18 months.
• Mandatory community service ranging from 10 to 60 hours.
• Fines between $100 and $500, with additional fees that can add up to thousands.

Refusing to take a chemical test, such as a blood, breath, or urine test, also has serious consequences. First-time refusals can lead to:

• License suspension for six months to one year.
• Fines of $200 to $500.
• Community service requirements and mandatory alcohol or drug education programs.

Repeat offenders face even stiffer penalties, including potential incarceration and extended license suspension or ignition interlock periods.

A Deadly Gamble

Despite widespread campaigns against impaired driving, the holiday season often sees a spike in DUIs. Law enforcement and public safety officials are urging Rhode Islanders to plan ahead, use rideshare services, or designate a sober driver to avoid endangering lives and facing life-altering legal repercussions.

“This isn’t just about getting arrested—it’s about saving lives,” Connor emphasized.

As Rhode Island moves into 2025, the message remains firm: impaired driving will not be tolerated, and law enforcement will be out in full force to ensure the roads remain safe for everyone.

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