Rhode Island

Rhode Island school thrives after last-ditch purchase from diocese

Published

10 months ago

March 18, 2024

Rhode Island school thrives after last-ditch purchase from diocese

“There are so many miracles that happened in those three days and over the three months while the decision was made,” Casey said, “but we became owners of three acres with a church that seats 400 people, a school that can accommodate 160 students and a rectory [at which] we are housing our teachers.”

“It has been a crazy ride, but we believe God and Our Lady are at the helm,” Casey said.

Volunteers help install a sign at Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope. Credit: Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope

Following the school’s acquisition of the property, volunteers and engineers both pitched in to help prepare it for opening. Workers “did quite a bit in a short time to get the buildings to code to move in,” Casey said. “We spent about $55,000 to open it and during the first year we needed about $20,000 in repairs that showed up as we started using the property again.”

He admitted that those investments were financially “draining” but that the school is engaging in fundraising as it grows into a four-year institution, after which “the financials look pretty good.” The school currently hosts about 20 students; the St. Francis property can accommodate a total of 160.

Casey said the school is well supported as it launches. Benefactors “are starting to get behind the mission and vision to help the school get to the next level,” he said, while volunteers “have been incredible, sharing their gifts in areas such as painting, construction, and much sweat equity.”

Students in the classroom at Chesterton Academy. Credit: COLE DeSANTIS/Rhode Island Catholic

Casey said the experience with the school shows that lay Catholics looking to help the Church need to “step up and help instead of hoping someone else does it.”

“Catholic laypeople must become part of the solution for the Church’s future,” he said. “We need to support our diocese and priests.” The diocese, Casey added, has been “so supportive” of the school, with a different priest visiting the school “every day” to celebrate its daily Mass.

“Priests visit us from all over Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts, and the students have an opportunity to see how each priest has a different journey in faith,” he said. “They sometimes share lunch with the students. Priests or deacons help us every month for our First Friday Holy Hours. Both bishops and a few monsignors have celebrated Mass with us.”

Casey said the school aspires to “bring spiritual life back to the Warwick and greater Rhode Island community and help families committed to raising their children to be the next generation of saints.”

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“Many Chesterton schools do not start this way with buying at the start,” he said, “but we believe with Our Lady of Hope guiding us, that we will be able to fill the school and help bring more souls to Christ.”

Daniel Payne

Daniel Payne is a senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at the College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.

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Rhode Island

Parking bans ahead of snow for Southern New England | ABC6

Published

8 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

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.

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Rhode Island

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

Published

15 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

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.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 18, 2025

Published

23 hours ago

January 19, 2025

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

14-31-35-64-69, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

04-12-13-32-43, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Midday: 7-3-2-6

Evening: 3-1-7-0

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

05-14-25-29-33, Extra: 22

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.

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