Rhode Island

St. Mary’s, Washington Bridge closure will get a closer look from lawmakers in coming weeks

Published

1 year ago

January 10, 2024

St. Mary’s, Washington Bridge closure will get a closer look from lawmakers in coming weeks

PROVIDENCE – A legislative probe of what happened that required the immediate closing of the westbound lanes of Interstate 195 West on December 11 is moving up on the legislative agenda.

In an interview this week, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi told The Journal he anticipates the first House Oversight Committee hearing this year will happen in the “next week or two” and it will focus on St. Mary’s Home for Children, in the wake of a newly released report on “significant safety concerns and abusive living conditions” there.

“It will be followed by an oversight at DOT,” he said of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, headed since 2015 by Peter Alviti.

What is the goal of the oversight hearing?

Asked what he hopes will come from a House Oversight Committee hearing, Shekarchi said: “I just think it needs to have a full vetting of the story – what happened, why it happened if they know … what they are doing to find out those answers and … when we expect it to be fixed.”

And even more basically: “What happened? What actions have they taken?”

“We have kind of heard that in dribs and drabs along the way,” he continued. “I think it’s good we hear a comprehensive report and update on the bridge … 30 to 45 days since it happened.”

Will it be a joint hearing with the Senate?

Shekarchi said he has asked Senate leaders if they would like to hold a joint hearing. When? “Before the February break,” he said of the legislature’s Feb. 19-23 week off. It remains to be seen if the Senate will go along.

When asked, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said: “Our intention is to have Senate oversight hearings at the appropriate time. The President and Speaker have discussed doing so jointly, but no determination has been made at this time.” (He did not respond to follow-up questions on what would be the “appropriate time.”)

What is going on with the Washington Bridge?

In December, both Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said there was merit in waiting for the Federal Highway Administration to do their own investigation first of how the bridge so quickly deteriorated less six months after its last recorded inspection.

But when asked on Wednesday what the FHWA has done so far, DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin said: “We have had no indications from FHWA regarding a site visit nor any requests for records.”

More: Investigation into the Washington Bridge’s condition is coming. What will happen next.

That means the only investigation underway in the month since the abrupt closure of the westbound span of the bridge is the “forensic analysis” being done by one of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s regular bridge-inspection contractors. The question: how did anchor rods holding it together break sometime between July and December?

The initial forensic analysis is being done by WJE as a subcontractor to Michael Baker Co., which DOT spokeswoman Lisbeth Pettengill has described as “our regular bridge-inspection company.”

The McKee administration has in recent days, however, given a contract to the Connecticut-based McNary Bergeron & Johannesen, LLC to do what is broadly described as a “forensic structural engineering analysis and inspection on Washington Bridge” at a cost of $27,019.83.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 19, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

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.

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Rhode Island

Parking bans ahead of snow for Southern New England | ABC6

Published

11 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

19 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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