Around the Valley

WOONSOCKET – The Woonsocket Police Department has arrested the man believed to have stolen a car on Monday, April 26 that had a two-year-old child inside. Derek Franklin, 35, of Woonsocket was arrested for the alleged theft on Wednesday, April 28, according to a release from the department. Officers were reportedly called to Mason Grocery on Elm Street in the city...

Small Business Relief Grant announced Gov. Dan McKee, along with the RI Small Business Coalition, has announced a new grant program he says is focused on supporting smaller businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. The program is touted as being simplified and streamlined, with just a single page to fill out, and businesses that qualify will receive $5,000 "Even businesses that opened...

Unemployment is income in RI The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has determined that while state residents will be able to deduct up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation on their federal personal income tax returns under a recent federal law change, the full amount of unemployment received must be marked as income on state returns. "Under federal legislation enacted on March...

Turkey time The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has announced that permits for the spring turkey hunting season will be available beginning April 1. Hunters are encouraged to purchase their permit online at www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish. The 2021 spring turkey season will be open from April 29 through May 23. The season bag limit is two bearded birds, and no more than...

Rabbit tests positive for contagious bacterial disease The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Agriculture and the Rhode Island Department of Health are notifying the public about a New England cottontail rabbit from Patience Island that tested positive for tularemia recently. Located off the northwest coast of Prudence Island in Portsmouth, Patience Island is currently home to a New...

Parts of Blackstone River removed from impaired waters list The Department of Environmental Management has announced that the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved Rhode Island's recommendations to remove impairments from parts of three waterbodies from USEPA's List of Impaired Waters under the Clean Water Act. As a result of stringent permitting and long-term investments in pollution abatement infrastructure and practices,...

News and briefs from the Blackstone Valley State launches new Open Beds website Rhode Island has joined a growing list of states that are using online tracking systems to help consumers, caregivers and providers access mental health and substance use treatment services for patients who need them. Launched last year by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals, the state’s...