Updated 9:59 am EDT, Saturday, April 20, 2019 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island transportation officials say they'll have 77 construction projects this year totaling $715 million. The state began tolling trucks last year to pay for bridge and road repairs. Neighboring Connecticut is considering whether to implement tolls. The Department of Transportation held an event Friday to begin its 2019 construction season at the Interstate 295 bridges between Johnston and Cranston, Rhode Island. The department is repairing the bridges this year, a $22 million project. The 77 projects include bridge repair, replacement and preservation work for 177 bridges. Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo says the projects will create jobs and help pull the state out of the bottom of lists that rank poor roads and bridges. DOT Director Peter Alviti says there will be more construction happening than at any other time in the department's history. … [Read more...] about Rhode Island: $715M in bridge and road repairs are planned
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A Rhode Island School District Is Sending Debt Collectors After Families Over Unpaid Lunches
Jupiterimages/Getty Images Looking for news you can trust?Subscribe to our free newsletters. A school district in Rhode Island wants its lunch money back—and has hired a private debt collection agency to go after parents to get it. The chief operating officer of schools in Cranston, Rhode Island, recently sent a letter to parents warning them that the district had hired Transworld Systems, a private debt collector, to compel families with unpaid lunch balances to hand over the money, according to a local news report by WPRI. A week’s worth of lunches in Cranston elementary schools costs $12.50. In middle and high school, that price goes up to $16.25. According to the school’s “unpaid lunch policy,” reported by ThinkProgress, students who do not have money for lunch can charge up to five hot meals. If at that point they do not repay their debt, they are fed a “sunny butter sandwich, fruit, and milk” instead of a hot lunch each … [Read more...] about A Rhode Island School District Is Sending Debt Collectors After Families Over Unpaid Lunches
Rhode Island School District Hires Collection Agency to Collect Unpaid Lunch Balances
U.S. A school district in Rhode Island has hired a collection agency to help recover unpaid lunch balances. The Cranston School District in Cranston, Rhode Island, sent a letter to parents that the district had hired Transworld Systems to collect unpaid lunch balances for the district’s lunch program, NBC 10 News reported. "In an effort to reduce our unpaid balance, the District has retained the services of a collection agency. The company is Transworld Systems and they will begin their collection efforts effective January 2, 2019," the letter obtained by the news station said. Raymond Votto Jr., the chief operating officer of the Cranston Public School district, told NBC 10 News that the district has unsuccessfully attempted to collect the outstanding lunch debt themselves. He told the news station that from September 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018, the school district wrote off over $95,000 and the unpaid balance for this year is currently $45,859. A cafeteria worker supervises … [Read more...] about Rhode Island School District Hires Collection Agency to Collect Unpaid Lunch Balances
Police: Rhode Island school fight goes into the street, disrupts funeral
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — Police in Rhode Island say a fight between high school students disrupted a funeral procession. The Providence Journal reports police responded to a fight at Ocean State Academy in Cranston Wednesday. Cranston Police say by the time officers had arrived, the fight had spread into the street as a procession left St. Matthew’s Church, which is next to the school. A witness said one of the vehicles in the procession was damaged. Police arrested three juveniles and later released them to their parents. Cranston Police Sgt. Brian D’Amico says he can’t comment on the charges because of their status as juveniles. He didn’t know what they were fighting about. Eighteen-year-old Damaree Wright was charged with disorderly conduct and released. He pleaded not guilty. Close The biggest headlines, delivered to your inbox Get news as it happens. Sign up for Boston.com's email news alerts. Thanks for signing up! … [Read more...] about Police: Rhode Island school fight goes into the street, disrupts funeral
2 Weekend Prison Deaths Under Investigation at Rhode Island’s Adult Correctional Institution
Rhode Island prisons officials are investigating two weekend deaths at the state prison in Cranston. An official with the Adult Correctional Institution tells WJAR-TV the deaths Sunday are unrelated and appear to be suicides. Gina Caruolo says a 70-year-old inmate died in the infirmary at the Intake Service Center. The other inmate, who was aged 53, was a recent commitment housed in a different part of the facility. An eruption from one of Central America’s most active volcanoes killed at least 25 people and displaced thousand of Guatemalans. The Volcan de Fuego, or “Volcano of Fire,” blanketed nearby areas with ash and lava, affecting 1.7 million people. (Published 43 minutes ago) As is the case in all deaths in custody, state police are investigating. No names were immediately released and Caruolo said the department is still notifying the inmates' families. Get the latest from necn anywhere, anytime Download the App Available for IOS and Android Follow necn … [Read more...] about 2 Weekend Prison Deaths Under Investigation at Rhode Island’s Adult Correctional Institution