Around the Valley

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...

State campgrounds to open April 9 The Department of Environmental Management has announced that beginning April 9, the following state campgrounds will be open daily: Burlingame State Campground, Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen’s Memorial Campground and George Washington Memorial Campground in Glocester. The campground at East Beach in Charlestown will remain closed this year. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Department...

Autumnfest Steering Committee announced The Autumnfest Steering Committee held their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 12,  and announced that the executive committee selected the following people to be on the 2021 Steering Committee: - Adam Brunetti will serve as secretary as well as media/PR/website/social media coordinator. - Lisa Carcifero will serve in a newly established role as senior activities...

RHODE ISLAND – As vaccines begin a rollout, many economists are hopeful that this spells the beginning of a bounce back for local communities. That said, even in the midst of the worst stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rhode Island saw a record high in new businesses open over the past year. Leading the charge, the state saw over 10,000...

Job Lot distributes PPE Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has leveraged its global supply chain to provide hundreds of thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment to healthcare organizations and municipalities. In continuation of that effort, the foundation is currently distributing more than $1.7 million worth of additional PPE to police and fire departments...

WOONSOCKET – A city man is facing felony charges after calling police to tell them he had loaded weapons and that he was going to harm Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli Hunt. Michael Roy, 33, of Woonsocket was arrested following the incident, after which a search of his home turned up loaded firearms and ammunition, according to police. According to a release...

Autumnfest becomes 501-C-3 The Autumnfest Steering Committee has announced that their application to the Internal Revenue Service has been approved and the organization has officially become tax exempt and tax deductible effective on April 29, 2020. All donations that have been received after that date now qualify for tax benefits for donors. "This is a great way to kick off Autumnfest...