Rhode Island
Wolf dogs that once roamed Warwick have built a bond between RI and Ohio sanctuary
One year later, a strong bond has developed between Rhode Island and the Ohio sanctuary that rescued a pair of wolf dogs from Warwick.
When she finally agreed to take in a pair of wolf dogs that had been running wild in Warwick a year ago, Susan Vogt didn’t realize she was starting a relationship with a lot of Rhode Island residents that would end up helping support and expand her Ohio wolf-dog sanctuary.
Since the canine sisters, initially thought to be “black coyotes,” arrived at the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project last May, Rhode Islanders have donated thousands of dollars, food and toys, which have supported not just the two “401 Girls” but all 22 of the sanctuary’s wolf dogs, said Vogt, co-founder and president.
“What happened was the biggest blessing,” said Vogt, whose three-year-old nonprofit rescue relies entirely on donations. “Rhode Islanders have been tremendously supportive.”
More: ‘Fresh start:’ Warwick wolf dogs start their new life in Ohio in the ‘401 Run’
Here are some examples of the connection between Rhode Island and the Ohio rescue often called just “The Red”:
- A Coventry woman and her boyfriend drove 15 hours from Rhode Island to Middletown, Ohio, to deliver the wolf dogs to their new home.
- A Warwick woman has become one of the rescue’s volunteers, flying to Ohio to help out.
- A Providence woman has provided thousands of dollars in matching funds for several projects to expand and improve the rescue. Vogt calls her “our East Coast Advocate,” because she also hands out the rescue’s business cards and spreads the word about its mission.
- The sanctuary keeps an active Facebook page with frequent updates on the wolf dogs. “Our digital analysis still shows Rhode Island is our biggest audience,” Vogt said.
Just last week, after Vogt mentioned on Facebook that the sanctuary was running low on meat, a Rhode Island woman contacted her to say she would send deer and bear meat recently harvested by family members.
More: DNA test confirms Warwick dogs mistaken for coyotes are part wolf. Here’s how much.
Last spring the ‘black coyotes’ made big news in Rhode Island
This time last spring, the two wolf dog pups, then called Libby and Bella, caused a stir running free around Warwick. They were eventually captured and ended up in the custody of the Warwick Animal Shelter but couldn’t stay in Rhode Island because it’s illegal to keep wolf dogs here.
When Ann Corvin, director of the Warwick Animal Shelter, called to ask if The Red could take the wolf dogs, Vogt said no; her sanctuary was full. Corvin didn’t give up, and Vogt eventually gave in.
The dogs, renamed Wiley and Willow, have been at the sanctuary for almost a year and have nearly doubled in size. Wiley is about 95 pounds; Willow, a little shorter in length and height, weighs about 85 or 90 pounds. At about 1½ years old, they’re yearlings and still growing.
“They are doing really well,” Vogt said. “They have settled in. They know the routine.”
Wiley is a “rascal” and a quick learner, Vogt said, while Willow prefers to “stay in the shadows.” Delivery trucks often pull up to The Red with gifts for the wolf dogs, many from Rhode Islanders. Willow loves carrying stuffed animals in her mouth. “When people send her stuffies,” Vogt said, “it’s like her emotional support animal.”
A lot of people have asked about adopting Wiley and Willow, but they’re not ready for that. “They have this edge to them,” Vogt said. “They were treated poorly. They were running loose.”
With the sanctuary’s wolf dogs, one of the milestones comes when the animals allow a handler to place a slip leash over their heads so they can go out for walks. That kind of trust also makes it easier for veterinarians to work with the animals. Willow and Wiley haven’t gotten there yet.
“It’s work, and it’s a very slow process,” Vogt said.
‘This is a good place for them’
Danielle Verrier, of Coventry, is an animal lover, but her boyfriend, Alex Clarke, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, is the one who had experience working with wolf dogs. When Clarke asked Verrier last year whether she would drive 830 miles with him to deliver the animals, Verrier “didn’t think twice about driving 15 hours. I said, ‘No problem. We’ll make it work,’” Verrier recalled recently.
With the air-conditioning blasting to keep the animals comfortable, the couple drove straight through. “When you’ve got a couple of wolf dogs with you, you can’t really stop at a hotel,” Verrier said.
Arriving at The Red, Verrier immediately got a good vibe. Having worked with other rescue organizations, Verrier believes she can sense when the humans are in it for the animals. She remembered thinking, “Oh, yeah. This is a good place for them. Everyone cares so much for these animals.”
After staying a couple of days in May, Clarke and Verrier returned in July for a visit. Verrier said, “They’re my Ohio friends now.”
Helping out a long way from Rhode Island
Caring for 22 wolf dogs requires a lot of hard work, and the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project relies on many volunteers. Alicia Bigos is a little different from the sanctuary’s other volunteers, because she lives in Warwick and flies to Ohio to help out.
Bigos has gone twice, helping with tasks such as feeding, cleaning up after the animals and providing enrichment. She plans another visit at the end of this month. The rescue doesn’t accept just anyone, according to Vogt, but requires its volunteers to pass a training program.
Bigos has always been “fascinated” by wolf dogs and “absolutely fell in love” with them on her first visit, she said. “Susan and her husband [Colin] are such welcoming people. I instantly felt at home, like I belonged there.”
“We all love her,” Vogt said. “We want her to move here.”
More: Mistaken for coyotes in Warwick, turns out Bella and Libby were puppies – the domestic kind
‘She has built this place’
Vogt hopes to soon meet a woman who is perhaps the sanctuary’s greatest Rhode Island supporter, Alicia Mancini, of Providence.
“I have yet to meet her, but I adore her,” Vogt said.
Mancini and her husband, Rob, have provided thousands of dollars in matching funds for several projects. They’ve helped expand Willow and Wiley’s pen, which, in turn, enabled an expansion of the entire facility, allowing the rescue to build more pens and take in more animals.
They’ve donated money to extend water lines from Vogt’s house to the wolf-dog pens so volunteers don’t have to lug water buckets a quarter mile, and they’ve also donated, so the rescue could put down thousands of yards of gravel to keep the animals and volunteers out of the mud.
“She has built this place, I told her,” Vogt said. “She’s done a tremendous amount of good.”
Mancini and her husband have provided their financial support anonymously. To show their gratitude, The Red named its expanded section after their pet cat, Kurtz.
Vogt calls Mancini The Red’s “East Coast Advocate.” She sent her business cards, which Mancini hands out to friends and family. Mancini sometimes wears a Red Riding Hood Rescue shirt and finds that people will often ask her about it. She often tells them about the rescue and the mission and hands them a card.
Helping the wolf dogs at The Red “feels good,” Mancini said.
“It’s worth it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing.”
Rhode Island
In Central Falls, a sneak peek at what appealing affordable apartments can look like • Rhode Island Current
CENTRAL FALLS — Surrounded by chain link fencing, the three-story building on Central Street in Rhode Island’s smallest city smells of sawdust from the plywood flooring and wall frames that make up the structure.
But by mid-2026, the property’s developer promises 25 units with vinyl tile flooring and wide doorways that will be completely solar powered — all with rents starting as low as $800 for a one-bedroom apartment.
“Central Street is an innovative development — it’s really going to make a great impact on the community and the neighborhood,” Linda Weisinger, executive director for Pawtucket Central Falls Development, told reporters, housing advocates, and lawmakers gathered outside the building Thursday morning.
The project at 44 Central St. which broke ground in May, is part of the Pawtucket-based nonprofit’s plan to create a total of 62 affordable housing units in Pawtucket and Central Falls over the next two years. The property was most recently a parking lot.
Thursday’s tour was the fourth across the state this year hosted by the Housing Network of Rhode Island, which aims to show how affordable homes can be an attractive addition to any of the state’s 39 municipalities.“While this idea of affordable housing might seem one-size-fits all, it is really anything but,” Melina Lodge, the nonprofit advocacy organization’s executive director, told reporters assembled outside the building. “Every project that our members produce is attempting to respond to a local need by the people and match the feeling and aesthetic of its local community.”
Though he did not join the tour, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi commended the project during his brief remarks outside the Central Street property.
“This is exactly the type of development that we need more of in Rhode Island,” Shekarchi said. “In the last five years in Rhode Island, the prices of single-family homes have nearly doubled. The rents at 44 Central will be affordable, and that’s fantastic for the 30 new families who will live here.”
The Central Street property will include a mix of units from one to four bedrooms, with rents starting at $800 a month and up to $1,900 for the largest apartments. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Central Falls is $1,637 a month, according to the 2024 HousingWorks RI Fact Book.
On the tour, Weisinger highlighted grab bars, lever door handles, roll-in showers and other accessible design features that will be included in some of the apartments.
“It’s really going to that next level of something we’ve been really mindful of in the work we do, in trying to make sure residents, if they are here for a long time, can age in place,” Weisinger said.
That note got the attention of Rep. Deborah Fellela, a Johnston Democrat who joined the tour.
“So many developments don’t think of that,” Fellela said in an interview.
The new building will also have two community commercial spaces, one of which will be a homeownership and financial education center on the ground floor run by PCF Development.
Even in its initial stages of construction, the promise of an attractive building in the heart of the city was enough to captivate Rep. Joshua Giraldo, a Central Falls Democrat.
“I grew up in a small third-floor unit that was really cramped with not a lot of lighting,” Giraldo told Rhode Island Current after the tour. “To see the detail that has been put into the project makes me really proud.”
The Central Street rentals still have a ways to go until their planned 2026 opening, but Weisinger said applications are already open for those interested in getting on the ground floor — or the following two. For application information, visit PCF Development’s website or call (401) 941-2900.
PCF Development rentals predominantly go to low to moderate income families with single-parent female heads of households, its website states.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Powers Ahead with Phase 2 of National EV Charging Program: $10M Up for Grabs – Newport Buzz
Rhode Island is on the road to a cleaner future. Governor Dan McKee, alongside the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and the Department of Transportation (RIDOT), announced the launch of Phase 2 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program—a game-changer for electric vehicle drivers across the Ocean State. With $10 million in competitive funding on the table, this phase aims to roll out more EV charging stations across communities, making it easier than ever to “plug in and go.”
For Phase 2, the state is opening applications for public, private, and non-profit entities who are ready to step up and contribute to the state’s clean energy vision. The program offers federal funding covering up to 80% of the project cost, with up to $1 million available for DC Fast Charger sites, $250,000 for Level 2 chargers, and a cool $1.25 million for sites offering both. To get in on the action, applicants need to pony up a 20% match—but bringing a little extra to the table could score some bonus points.
Governor McKee sees this initiative as a bold leap forward, cementing Rhode Island’s reputation as a leader in sustainable transportation. “Rhode Island continues to be a leader across the nation in clean transportation,” he said. “This program is crucial to supporting the adoption of EVs and creating an equitable and accessible future for Rhode Islanders.”
The state is looking to install at least 10 DC Fast Chargers and 100 Level 2 chargers, with the rollout starting on November 14, 2024. Rhode Island’s approach focuses on community-driven needs, making sure the chargers are installed where people need them most. This means accessible, reliable, and fast-charging options for drivers in every corner of the state.
Rhode Island’s Phase 1 rollout, completed in the summer of 2024, saw the state become the first in the nation to build out the Alternative Fuel Corridor along I-95, with chargers installed in key spots like Ashaway and Warwick. This achievement earned high praise from federal heavyweights, including Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White and Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Executive Director Gabe Klein.
“Rhode Island being the ‘first-in-the-nation’ has a nice ring to it,” said Congressman Gabe Amo, adding that this next step “brings us closer to reaching our state’s ambitious emissions targets and building a robust electric vehicle charging network.”
Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse echoed the sentiment, pointing out the convenience and long-term savings EV drivers can now look forward to, thanks to Rhode Island’s expanded charging network. Congressman Seth Magaziner emphasized the health benefits for communities, highlighting cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint.
For Rhode Island, this isn’t just about chargers; it’s about powering a movement. Acting OER Commissioner Chris Kearns noted the importance of this next step in helping Rhode Island achieve its Act on Climate goals. “The NEVI Phase 2 program will continue to create a more sustainable transportation system for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the state,” he said.
Rhode Island’s EV Expansion by the Numbers
- Up to $10 million in competitive funding for publicly accessible charging installations.
- A minimum of 10 new DC Fast Chargers and 100 Level 2 chargers statewide.
- Application period runs from November 14, 2024, through February 28, 2025.
- Funding covers up to 80% of project costs, with capped amounts per charging type.
The state is taking no shortcuts in making Rhode Island one of the best places in America to own and drive an EV. With Phase 2 officially underway, the Ocean State is charging full-speed ahead toward a future where clean energy and convenient charging stations go hand-in-hand. Applications and more details are available at www.energy.ri.gov/rinevi.
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Rhode Island
To seal the deal, here’s where to eat your next power lunch in Rhode Island – The Boston Globe
The sweating began nearly immediately. Where on earth should we go? At the time, I was new to the Globe. Prior to working here, I was hardly making any money and there was little thing called a global pandemic that didn’t allow me to start tasting around just yet. I was in unknown territory.
Like many, I played it safe and chose The Capital Grille. Sure, it’s a chain restaurant, but the one in Providence is the original that was founded by Edward P. “Ned” Grace in 1990. I ordered the steak frites — something I usually would only order for dinner. But this was a power lunch.
Power lunches are exactly that — a show of power. They are a break in the action of your work day, where in certain situations it might be acceptable to have a martini. Plenty of great restaurants that once hosted many power lunches before the pandemic have not yet made a comeback, and are still only opening for dinner service. But as we continue to return to the office, you’ll need to know where to meet for a business meal.
Here’s where to eat your next power lunch in Rhode Island.
Perfect occasion: When you just want to eat something delicious and don’t care about the hoopla of steakhouses or fancy dining rooms.
If you’re having a meeting with folks who are self-proclaimed “foodies,” who are impressed less by luxurious dining rooms and more about what’s actually on their plates, then you need to go to Nicks on Broadway. Long-run by chef Derek Wagner, they serve a great menu of comfort foods using ingredients from local farms. Split the mushroom crostini with mushroom-boursin, sautéed mushrooms, and herbs piled on slices of grilled bread. And then order your own plates: polenta with local veggies and wilted greens, chargrilled pork with tallow roasted purple potatoes and madeira jus, or grilled tuna with sautéed veggies and lemon-thyme vinaigrette. Finish the meal off with a warm peach crumble. 500 Broadway, Providence, R.I., nicksonbroadway.com.
Perfect occasion: You’re looking for a classic steakhouse, you may have wine with lunch, and you contemplated whether forgoing a tie today was acceptable.
Known for regulars like Judge Judy, 22 Bowen’s is a traditional steakhouse that also serves giant king crab legs, shellfish towers with caviar, and Maine-style lobster to pair with their wine list. For lunch, grab their French onion burger, which was the winner of this past year’s Newport “Burger Bender” competition where an Australian wagyu patty is smothered in French onion jam, crispy onion straws, and melted havarti and gruyere — and then all layered on a toasted onion roll smothered in roasted garlic aioli. If you need something less messy, get the flat iron steak salad or pan-seared halibut with Calabrian chili. 22 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, R.I., 22bowens.com.
Perfect occasion: You’re an actual elected official, lobbyist, or CEO. Or you’re meeting one.
Grace, the founder, had the idea to open a high-end steakhouse that would be an ideal spot for the political and business elite in Providence. Now with multiple locations across the US, all I can say is Grace is a visionary. And when I went to lunch at the chain’s flagship location on a cold Wednesday around noon back in 2021, I saw all the movers and shakers. In fact, it’s where I’ve historically seen the president of the Rhode Island Senate the most, and a free lunch at this location was the subject of a recent scandal involving the governor, a lobbyist, and a development firm. Red meat is the obvious choice here, but ordering the sushi-grade seared sesame tuna with sambal vinaigrette is a power move of its own. 10 Memorial Blvd., Suite 101, Providence, R.I., thecapitalgrille.com.
Perfect occasion: You’re looking for an edgier spot compared to the more traditional options.
There’s something to be said about the bonding activity you could have with your colleagues or meeting guests when you’re presented with a pizza on a slab along with a pair of kitchen shears. It’s interactive for a familiar dish, and these pies are layered with local ingredients sourced from mostly Rhode Island farms. The thin crust crackles along with the activities at the buzzing bar. Order an Aperol spritz while you’re at it. 22 Washington Square, Newport, R.I., barcino.com/newport.
Perfect occasion: You’re an artist, go antiquing on the weekends, and are looking for a uniquely beautiful spot.
Located in Providence’s Jewelry District, CAV stands for “cocktails, antiques, victuals,” where its ground-floor space on Imperial Place represents a bohemian artsy gallery of vintage finds. The restaurant first opened in 1989, and since then, all the art, rugs, pillows, and certain chandeliers used to decorate the space are for sale. Grab the walnut encrusted brie with brandied apricots for the table to share before going your separate ways for lunch — whether that be with a wrap, sandwich, or a pasta dish. If you’re gluten free, they have rice noodles for a solid substitute. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, R.I., cavrestaurant.com.
Perfect occasion: You’re due back in court in less than an hour.
Hemenway’s has been around for years, and has long been known as the place where all the wheeling and dealing occurs. They have an actual power lunch menu during the week, where you can order an appetizer and entree for just $30 that also includes a takeaway cup of coffee or their own cold brew, along with freshly baked cookies. It’s also in an ideal location surrounded by courthouses, universities, and other nearby offices. Translation: If you’re a lawyer, you’ll be able to eat here and be back in front of the judge in the nick of time. 121 South Main St., Providence, R.I., hemenwaysrestaurant.com.
Perfect occasion: A more casual meeting for lunch, meeting nonprofit leaders, believe in social-impact brands, or need caffeine refills throughout the meal.
Inside the Providence Public Library is CHOP (which stands for the Culinary Hub of Providence), a new all-day café that’s backed by the Jacques Pépin Foundation. It’s a great workforce development program, serving as a culinary education and training hub creating jobs, while also serving good food that highlights local producers. It’s more of a casual set up than the other spots on this list: You go and order at a counter and there’s a mix of communal tables and more intimate nooks. During the week, most of the people at CHOP are either having lunch with a co-worker, hosting a more relaxed business meeting, or doing work on their laptop with a cup of coffee (they serve beans from Providence-based New Harvest Coffee Roasters). There’s music over the speakers, but it’s soft enough for you to have an in-depth conversation. Be sure to try the honey tamari shiitake, which is pulled shiitake mushrooms marinated with a tamari-honey glaze served over heirloom rice, pickled onions, and slices of avocado. 211 Washington St., Providence, R.I., culinaryhubpvd.com.
Perfect occasion: You’re looking for a working brunch in downtown.
If you’re looking for a casual, but delicious brunch, or a lunch that focuses on ingredients from local producers and farms, head to Rogue Island inside the Arcade, America’s oldest mall. It has been open for a decade this year in downtown, which is no easy feat, and has a cozy atmosphere with brick walls and tinned ceilings. Head there for brunch: cajun lobster Benedicts on a griddled English muffin with fried shallots and garlic; biscuits and gravy; and French toast sticks with dehydrated banana chips and candied pecans and sea salt caramel. Or for something that sounds more like lunch, try the “The Bear” sandwich with beer-braised short rib, giardiniera aioli, and sharp cheddar on a griddled sesame bun, for instance. If you’re drinking, Rogue Island has one of the most extensive beer lists available for lunch, where plenty of Rhode Island brews are available. 65 Weybosset St. #108, Providence, R.I., rogueislandgroup.com.
Perfect occasion: When you want to be seen, breaking out your fur coat for the season, are hoping to have a three-martini lunch.
Downtown is historically the center of work in Providence. If you travel to the financial district, or around capital center, you have some options. If you’re strictly looking for a place to go and be seen, Bellini’s is a good bet. It’s inside The Beatrice, the swanky boutique hotel on Westminster Street owned by former mayor Joe Paolino. If he knows your face, he might stop at your table for a chat, but Bellini’s is bright and luxurious. Their lunch-size pastas are pushing $30 a plate, but you could opt for a $20 salad (the farro salad with avocado, zucchini, and asparagus is good with the bread basket) and martini or two. 50 Westminster St., Providence, R.I., bellinirestaurant.com/providence.
This story first appeared in The Food Club, a free weekly email newsletter about Rhode Island food and dining. Already a member of the club? Check your inbox for more news, recipes, and features in the latest newsletter. Not a member yet? If you’d like to receive it via e-mail each Thursday, you can sign up here.
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.
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