Congratulations to the Glocester Police. They met all the requirements for accreditation. A three year process.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Congratulations Glocester Police Dept.
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Congratulations to the Glocester Police. They met all the requirements for accreditation. A three year process.
Congratulations to the Glocester Police. They met all the requirements for accreditation. A three year process.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
RIDOT TO REOPEN EXISTING TRUCK REST AREA ALONG I-95 IN RICHMOND FRIDAY
Facility helps meet federal requirements for safe rest areas for truckers
Thank You Gina. This comes in handy when we fish the Wood River and Hike the Arcadia Park.
Thank You Gina. This comes in handy when we fish the Wood River and Hike the Arcadia Park.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it has accelerated its planned reopening of the existing truck rest area along I-95 North, located between Exits 2 and 3. The rest area is scheduled to open tomorrow morning, Friday, September 2 by 8 a.m.
RIDOT's maintenance forces have swept and restriped the parking lots, repaired guardrail, installed new signage, activated and made repairs to the overhead lighting system, and cleared excessive weeds and brush from the grounds. RIDOT originally anticipated reopening the facility by mid-September, but was able to complete the work in just over a week's time. RIDOT will continue working on the facility with the goal of reopening interior spaces, including indoor restrooms, by the end of the month. RIDOT will have portable restrooms available in time for tomorrow's opening.
The rest area will provide additional safe parking for truck drivers, who must comply with federal regulations that limit the number of hours they can drive and establish minimum rest periods between shifts.
Reopening of the existing truck rest area was always envisioned when RIDOT sought federal TIGER grant funding for the new Rhode Island Travel Plaza and Transit Hub. With the awarding of $9 million in funding for the new Welcome Center, RIDOT is moving forward with that project.
The existing truck rest area closed in 2011, at roughly the same time new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service Regulations were being developed. These regulations not only limit the number of hours spent driving, but also mandate minimum rest periods between shifts.
Federal restrictions apply to the existing truck rest area, which prohibit certain travel amenities from being provided - services travelers expect and deserve at a modern travel plaza.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2016
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: DEM, ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
OFFER FREE TREES TO HOMEOWNERS THIS FALL
Popular program helps Rhode Islanders save energy, money
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Arbor Day Foundation are teaming up once again to give away 1,000 trees as part of the State’s Energy-Saving Trees Program. The Program helps homeowners conserve energy and reduce utility costs while beautifying their neighborhood.
"We’re happy to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation again this fall to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Last spring the program was wildly successful – with all trees spoken for within the first 24 hours of registration opening. Tremendous! Planting a tree is a great way for homeowners to reduce their monthly expenses while promoting a healthier environment and creating a beautiful memory with their families.”
Trees play an important role in cooling streets and homes, filtering air, and reducing stormwater pollution. The trees distributed under the Energy-Saving Trees Program are approximately four to six feet tall and will be distributed in three-gallon containers for easy transport. The Rhode Island Tree Council will provide planting and care instruction to homeowners – as well as guidance on how to maximize energy-savings. When planted properly, a single mature tree can save $30 annually in heating and cooling costs.
Registration opens Monday, September 12 and is required in order to reserve a tree. Supplies go fast, so early registration is recommended. For more information and/or to register for the program, visit www.arborday.org/RIDEM. Trees can be picked up during one of the following pick-up events:
Saturday, October 1 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
North Scituate Farmers’ Market, 46 Institute Lane, North Scituate
Saturday, October 15 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
URI East Farm Farmers’ Market, 1 East Farm Road, Kingston
Saturday, October 22 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Pawtuxet Village Farmers’ Market, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston
Saturday, October 29 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Mt. Hope Farm Farmers’ Market, 250 Metacom Avenue, Bristol
Monday, August 29, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Libertarian candidate sees opening on presidential stage
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
BURLINGTON — Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld predicted Wednesday night that in a year of broken political rules, it only made sense that America would elect its first third-party president in more than 150 years.
That candidate, Weld told an audience at the Sheraton Hotel, is Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, who is campaigning on a platform of budget cuts, term limits and social reforms.
“The third way really represents the thinking of a majority of the American people,” Weld told roughly 200 supporters. “As Gary says, ‘There are an awful lot of people out there who are Libertarian, they just don’t know it … yet!”
Seconds later, Johnson ambled onto the stage to greet his running mate. He then looked out at the crowd, and smiled energetically, looked slightly shocked.
“Is this the craziest election of all time?” Johnson began.
“You know how crazy it is?” he continued.
“How crazy is it?” the crowd roared back.
“I am going to be the next president!” Johnson answered, to applause.
Besides Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Johnson is the only other candidate on the ballot in all 50 states. (Following a petition of 5,000 followers, he was officially cleared for the last ballot — Ohio — early Wednesday.)
Johnson ran as a Libertarian candidate for president in 2012, but received just 1 percent of the vote. This year, Johnson is hitting 10 percent in the polls, sometimes even higher.
And with Clinton and Trump rating as the two most unpopular presidential candidates in the last 10 election cycles, Johnson and Weld say they see an opening.
“Things have really changed on the street in the last couple of weeks,” said Weld. “Gary is absolutely mobbed at every airport we go to. He didn’t even have that face recognition two or three weeks ago.”
Both are former Republican governors from traditionally blue states, Johnson from New Mexico and Weld from Massachusetts. Both are fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
Casually dressed in jeans, the two cracked jokes in front of the audience, took questions and explained their positions. Above all else, they both promised to be honest.
“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything,” they each said.
Johnson said his administration’s top priority would be fiscal responsibility, and while he acknowledged the need to compromise with Congress, he promised he would cut the federal budget and never raise taxes.
He ticked off a number of areas where he thought he could find savings. Johnson would raise the retirement age for social security benefits and reform entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
States are better equipped to find the best solutions, Johnson said.
His administration would cut the federal bureaucracy, including the agencies of Homeland Security, Education and Housing and Urban Development.
Johnson even criticized Obama’s air and flight travel, promising to “bring an end to the imperial presidency.”
“Oh my gosh, the president wants to go to Walgreens and it costs taxpayers $10 million to see that happen?” he said. “I mean, really, come on let’s bring an end to this.”
He said he would track closely to President Barack Obama’s non-interventionist approach to foreign policy, but that’s the only area where he would emulate the current commander-in-chief.
Johnson said that, if elected president, he would work to legalize marijuana, end the death penalty, impose term limits on members of Congress and promote free trade.
A more complete breakdown of the Johnson-Weld platform can be viewed here.
Among the several hundred libertarians in the room were a handful of state legislators, including Reps. Tim Burditt, R-West Rutland, Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe, Patti Komline, R-Dorset, and Paul Dame, R-Essex Junction.
“If you are waiting for a purist, you will be waiting forever,” said Burditt, who initially supported Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s presidential bid.
Burditt then cited a famous quote by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch in his plea for Libertarian support in the November elections: “If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.”
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Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico and libertarian candidate for president. Photo by Jasper Craven/VTDigger
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That candidate, Weld told an audience at the Sheraton Hotel, is Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, who is campaigning on a platform of budget cuts, term limits and social reforms.
“The third way really represents the thinking of a majority of the American people,” Weld told roughly 200 supporters. “As Gary says, ‘There are an awful lot of people out there who are Libertarian, they just don’t know it … yet!”
Seconds later, Johnson ambled onto the stage to greet his running mate. He then looked out at the crowd, and smiled energetically, looked slightly shocked.
“Is this the craziest election of all time?” Johnson began.
“You know how crazy it is?” he continued.
“How crazy is it?” the crowd roared back.
“I am going to be the next president!” Johnson answered, to applause.
Besides Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Johnson is the only other candidate on the ballot in all 50 states. (Following a petition of 5,000 followers, he was officially cleared for the last ballot — Ohio — early Wednesday.)
Johnson ran as a Libertarian candidate for president in 2012, but received just 1 percent of the vote. This year, Johnson is hitting 10 percent in the polls, sometimes even higher.
And with Clinton and Trump rating as the two most unpopular presidential candidates in the last 10 election cycles, Johnson and Weld say they see an opening.
“Things have really changed on the street in the last couple of weeks,” said Weld. “Gary is absolutely mobbed at every airport we go to. He didn’t even have that face recognition two or three weeks ago.”
Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts and libertarian candidate for vice president. Photo by Jasper Craven/VTDigger
Casually dressed in jeans, the two cracked jokes in front of the audience, took questions and explained their positions. Above all else, they both promised to be honest.
“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything,” they each said.
Johnson said his administration’s top priority would be fiscal responsibility, and while he acknowledged the need to compromise with Congress, he promised he would cut the federal budget and never raise taxes.
He ticked off a number of areas where he thought he could find savings. Johnson would raise the retirement age for social security benefits and reform entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
States are better equipped to find the best solutions, Johnson said.
His administration would cut the federal bureaucracy, including the agencies of Homeland Security, Education and Housing and Urban Development.
Johnson even criticized Obama’s air and flight travel, promising to “bring an end to the imperial presidency.”
“Oh my gosh, the president wants to go to Walgreens and it costs taxpayers $10 million to see that happen?” he said. “I mean, really, come on let’s bring an end to this.”
He said he would track closely to President Barack Obama’s non-interventionist approach to foreign policy, but that’s the only area where he would emulate the current commander-in-chief.
Johnson said that, if elected president, he would work to legalize marijuana, end the death penalty, impose term limits on members of Congress and promote free trade.
A more complete breakdown of the Johnson-Weld platform can be viewed here.
Among the several hundred libertarians in the room were a handful of state legislators, including Reps. Tim Burditt, R-West Rutland, Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe, Patti Komline, R-Dorset, and Paul Dame, R-Essex Junction.
“If you are waiting for a purist, you will be waiting forever,” said Burditt, who initially supported Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s presidential bid.
Burditt then cited a famous quote by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch in his plea for Libertarian support in the November elections: “If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.”
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
No injuries. No deaths. Lots of cleanup’ after tornado hits Concord
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD — A rare nighttime tornado, packing winds of up to 100 miles an hour, cut a destructive half-mile path Monday morning, uprooting trees and damaging dozens of homes.
The twister, which touched down around 3:20 a.m., caused significant tree damage and left hundreds of homes without power. But there were no injuries, and somehow just one house sustained significant structural damage, officials said.
After assessing the damage Monday to determine whether it was indeed inflicted by a tornado, National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Dunham declared: “I’ve seen enough evidence. This was caused by an EF1 tornado.”
That designation applies to tornados that are relatively weak, but still strong enough to cause significant damage and rip the roof off homes. The ratings go from EF0 to EF5.
In all, 39 homes were damaged, officials said. The area around Independence and Alcott roads, which received the brunt of the storm, was littered with fallen trees, leafy branches, and power lines.
Kurt Schwartz, who directs the state’s emergency management agency, said the storm recovery, from clearing trees to rebuilding damaged infrastructure, could cost about $1 million. The agency will help the town determine whether it qualifies for disaster relief, he said.
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| Dina Rudick/Globe Staff |
The twister, which touched down around 3:20 a.m., caused significant tree damage and left hundreds of homes without power. But there were no injuries, and somehow just one house sustained significant structural damage, officials said.
After assessing the damage Monday to determine whether it was indeed inflicted by a tornado, National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Dunham declared: “I’ve seen enough evidence. This was caused by an EF1 tornado.”
That designation applies to tornados that are relatively weak, but still strong enough to cause significant damage and rip the roof off homes. The ratings go from EF0 to EF5.
In all, 39 homes were damaged, officials said. The area around Independence and Alcott roads, which received the brunt of the storm, was littered with fallen trees, leafy branches, and power lines.
Kurt Schwartz, who directs the state’s emergency management agency, said the storm recovery, from clearing trees to rebuilding damaged infrastructure, could cost about $1 million. The agency will help the town determine whether it qualifies for disaster relief, he said.
It was the first night tornado in Massachusetts since July 11, 1970, when a twister hit Townsend at 2:15 a.m. Because tornados are generated by warm, moist air, they are less likely to occur at night.
Residents said they were jolted from sleep Monday morning by a sound so loud
“No injuries. No deaths. Lots of cleanup,” said Concord Fire Chief Mark Cotreau, who urged people to stay away from the area because of dangerous downed power lines. Damage was concentrated in the area near Alcott and Independence roads, where trees were uprooted or sheared off at the top by a storm one resident described as “ungodly.”
Residents said they were jolted from sleep Monday morning by a sound so loud
“No injuries. No deaths. Lots of cleanup,” said Concord Fire Chief Mark Cotreau, who urged people to stay away from the area because of dangerous downed power lines. Damage was concentrated in the area near Alcott and Independence roads, where trees were uprooted or sheared off at the top by a storm one resident described as “ungodly.”
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