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Strange Things That Are Actually Illegal in Rhode Island

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Strange Things That Are Actually Illegal in Rhode Island


Every state in America has their owns general laws. Those rules and regulations residents must follow or face legal actions.

But not every law on the books still makes sense. Some might have you wondering if they ever made sense.

In Rhode Island, there are about a dozen laws left on the books that make you wonder how they became a law in the first place. Or why such a law was ever actually needed.

With New England being some of the oldest states in the nation, it’s no surprise that their list of strange laws is kind of long – and some are extremely specific to the coastal area.

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In Massachusetts, for example, it’s illegal to use tomatoes in the production of clam chowder. (Keep it classic apparently.)

In Connecticut it’s against the law to go clamming at night.

New Hampshire has laws against raking a beach without a permit and picking up seaweed from a beach.

In Vermont there is no whistling underwater allowed and in Maine, one cannot have Christmas decorations up past January 14th.

While these laws may make total sense to the residents of the specific town they were passed for or at one time seemed like the right thing to prevent, today they just sound a little weird.

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But several Rhode Island laws really take the cake when it comes to strange.

Some of these laws stem from the strict blue laws the Ocean State has had in place since colonial days, while others seem newer, though just as odd.

Here are the weirdest laws still on the books in Rhode Island.

15 of the Weirdest Laws in Rhode Island

The world has changed and yet some laws have stayed the same.

These are some of the strangest laws still on the books in Rhode Island.

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Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Massachusetts Laws You Don’t Even Know You’re Breaking

There are a lot of strange laws still on the books in Massachusetts, many that also carry actual punishments and fines. Though we’re pretty sure no one has been arrested for the crimes we’re about to list, we’re also pretty sure you have violated at least one of these laws in the last month or so.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

These Common Plants Are Illegal in Massachusetts

Massachusetts plant lovers, beware! Many of our most recognizable flora are actually common because they are super successful invaders, and are taking out our native plants.

The state has made it illegal to sell, grow, spread or propagate them — trust us, they don’t need any help. Here’s a list of some of the most widely known plants that actually don’t belong here.

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Gallery Credit: Kate Robinson





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FM buys former IGT building in downtown Providence. What we know.

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FM buys former IGT building in downtown Providence. What we know.


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Commercial insurer FM is buying the downtown Providence office building that’s home to Brightstar, the lottery company formerly known as IGT.

The 10-story office building at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Francis Street “will serve as a strategic addition to its growing business and global office footprint,” FM said in a news release announcing the purchase Thursday, Feb. 19.

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FM paid $68.5 million for the 202,000 square-foot building, the company said.

The previous owner was an affiliate of Boston-based Tritower Financial Group, which bought the building for $51.5 million in 2012, according to Providence Assessors Records.

Will FM move employees into the building?

FM said it “intends to occupy a portion” of the building. It did not mention how many FM employees will work there and when.

Brightstar, which changed its name from International Game Technology last year, is not leaving the building.

“We are pleased to welcome FM to downtown Providence as the new owner of 10 Memorial Boulevard, which is the home of our global lottery headquarters,” Brightstar spokesman Mike DeAngelis wrote in an email.

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Local leaders celebrate sale of building to FM

Rhode Island awarded IGT a 20-year contract to run the state’s lottery business and provide slot machines to its casinos in 2021.

The deal included strict local employment requirements.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Senate President Valarie Lawson and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi celebrated the sale in the news release.

FM, formerly known as FM Global, is based in Johnston and is one of the state’s largest employers.

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“This investment reflects FM’s confidence in Rhode Island and our commitment to creating spaces that attract world-class talent and strengthen client relationships,” Randy Hodge, chief operating officer of FM, said in the release. “FM has been proud to call Rhode Island home for nearly 200 years, and this expansion in the state’s capital is a natural choice for our next chapter of growth.”

This story has been updated with new information.



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Pawtucket shooting has ‘impact on the entire community’

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Pawtucket shooting has ‘impact on the entire community’


Three people remain in critical condition at a hospital in Rhode Island following this week’s deadly shooting at an ice-skating arena in Pawtucket.

The shooter’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and adult son, Aidan Dorgan, were both killed.

Flowers and hockey sticks have been left outside Lynch Arena in tribute to the victims. Keith Cabral, who played hockey here when he was a kid, came by with his daughter.

“When we heard that there was lives lost, it hurts us,” said Cabral. “This place is meaningful, it means a lot to us and our family. So we’re really sad.”

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Multiple vigils have been held in the days after the deadly shooting at a hockey rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, left three dead, including the suspect, and three others critically injured, as the community grieves and tries to process this latest act of violence to rock the state.

Pawtucket police say Robert Dorgan, who they say also went by the name of Roberta Esposito, came to rink armed with two handguns and opened fire.

Corina Haddock stopped by with flowers. She went to high school with Aidan.

“You’d never think one of us is going to be gone this soon, but yeah, it’s just so tough to see the family go through this. They’re great family,” Haddock said, fighting back tears.

A mass shooting at a hockey game left three people including the shooter dead, three critically injured and a Rhode Island community in grief.

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Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were also hit and remain in the hospital. Geruso is an assistant principal in the school district.

“At this time, our focus remains on supporting Tom, caring for our staff and students, and ensuring that mental health and counseling resources are readily available throughout our school community,” the superintendent’s office wrote in a statement. “We are grateful for the tremendous support shown by the Pawtucket community and ask that Tom and his loved ones continue to be kept in everyone’s thoughts. Out of respect for Tom and his family, we are not sharing additional details, but we ask the community to continue holding him close in their hearts during this incredibly difficult time.”

Reverand Shane Lima runs Ambassadors Church of the Nazarene, located ne near the ice arena. He said he is trying to help provide a space for the community to heal.

“But also, not just healing symbolically, but that there can be action so that these things can be prevented whenever possible,” said Lima.

Haddock says the impact is hurting people in so many different ways.

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“It’s definitely an impact on the entire community, and everyone’s feeling it,” said Haddock. “Really, the only good thing coming out of this is the community coming together for them, because they deserve support right now.”



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Man who helped stop shooting at Rhode Island ice rink speaks out: ‘I jumped towards the shooter’

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Man who helped stop shooting at Rhode Island ice rink speaks out: ‘I jumped towards the shooter’


One of the good Samaritans who helped take down the shooter at a high school hockey match in Rhode Island is speaking out.

The deadly shooting happened on Monday. Authorities said the shooter killed his ex-wife and adult son.

“My wife and I were there just to enjoy the family day,” Michael Black said. “I was watching the games, looking to my left, and in front of me, you heard a bang, bang.”

The chaos erupted just after 2:30 p.m. as players were still on the ice as nearly a dozen gunshots were fired, fans ducking and scrambling for cover.

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“I remember looking up at the clock and it was 10 minutes and 12 seconds,” Black said.

Authorities are investigating a video that appears to show the suspect, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, wearing a white hat, pulling a gun and moving through the crowd.

Moments later, Black is seen rushing in.

“As the gun extended and my wife went, running, and as soon as she cleared my sight. Is when I stood up on the bleachers and I jumped towards the shooter,” Black said.

Black said his finger became lodged in the gun’s chamber; preventing it from firing again but the suspect reached for a second firearm.

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“I saw panic on his face, and I’m looking at him, and he’s got the gun,” Black said.

Dorgan then used that second gun to kill himself, authorities confirmed.

“The courage not only prevented further loss and injury, and we thank them for that,” Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said.

Investigators said the shooting stemmed from a family dispute, confirming the two people killed were Rhonda Dorgan and Aiden Dorgan.

Black and his wife were separated in chaos, she had some choice words for him when they were reunited.

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“It was a typical wife response: ‘I’m very proud of you for what you did, but I’m also pissed off at you,’ it was my, my wife’s loving response. But it was great hug,” Black said.

If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK].

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