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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Related

With the calendar turning to January, United Way of Rhode Island is reminding nonprofits that there are now less than 90 days until the return of 401Gives on Tuesday, April 1.

As the Ocean State’s single largest philanthropic effort on behalf of local nonprofits, organizations across the state are encouraged to participate and raise funds to support their work. All Rhode Island-based nonprofits are invited to register now at 401Gives.org.

Already, 133 nonprofits have registered, according to United Way of Rhode Island. In 2024, its fifth year, 401Gives raised a record $3.86 million to benefit 597 organizations in the state, prompting nearly 25,000 gifts from Rhode Islanders. The day is powered by the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of Rhode Island.

“Since the very first 401Gives, we’ve seen some incredible outcomes as the result of Rhode Islanders coming together to support the causes they care about most,” said Nancy Wolanski, director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of R.I. in a statement. “Each year we have seen 401Gives reach new heights.  It’s an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work being done every day by small and large nonprofits across the state.  We’d love to see more organizations participate than ever so that all of us can learn about new nonprofits doing great work and addressing issues that matter deeply to our communities.”

A unified day of giving that makes it easy both for nonprofits to participate and for individuals to make donations to them, 401Gives utilizes an online fundraising platform and harnesses the power of social media and peer-to-peer outreach. 

Once registered, nonprofits can begin customizing their individual 401Gives page to share their stories, the impact of their work in the community, and highlight what they’re raising money for. Each organization’s 401Gives page features the ability to house images, embedded video, and more. And as part of the 401Gives experience, the Alliance offers an online library of webinar and training videos, and a Nonprofit Toolkit that includes sample emails, social media tips, and downloadable graphics.

To learn more about 401Gives or if there are questions, contact Caitlynn Douglas at (401) 444-0720, or email 401Gives@unitedwayri.org.