Around the Valley

WOONSOCKET – A popular festival that has brought tens of thousands of guests to the Blackstone Valley every year for the past four decades will not take place in 2020, organizers announced today. Autumnfest has been cancelled this year, with 2020 dubbed, "The Year That Didn't Happen," members of the steering committee noted in a release. "We are deeply saddened by...

With confirmed reports in neighboring Massachusetts communities, and a report of one Burrillville man showing symptoms and visiting Landmark Medical Center, the virus that has effectively changed how people live across the globe made itself known in northern Rhode Island this week. The Uxbridge Board of Health was notified of two confirmed cases of COVID 19 on Tuesday, March 24...

PROVIDENCE — In his role as Chair of Rhode Island’s Small Business Advocacy Council, Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee joined Justin Gontarek and Nicholas Rego, founders of Oceanside Graphics RI, to announce Gift it Forward, a new website that makes it easier for Rhode Islanders to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The website, RIsmallbusiness.org, was announced during a small business...

Small business forum Lt. Gov. Dan McKee will be holding a Small Business Conference Call on Tuesday, March 24 starting at noon to give local business owners the opportunity to weigh in on how COVID 19 has affected their livelihood. Information obtained will be used to develop a plan on how to help local businesses. To RSVP for the call,...

Twin River to remain closed The state department of Revenue has ordered another week of closure for Tiverton and Twin River Casinos following news today that 11 more cases of COVID 19 have been found in the state, bringing the total to 19. In a letter dated March 19, DOR Director Gerald Aubin notes, "This mandatory closure will continue to...

Mail ballot talk Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea's office will host a panel discussion on mail voting in the upcoming presidential primary on Thursday, May 14 starting at 2 p.m. via Facebook Live. "Rhode Island’s June 2nd Presidential Primary is fast approaching, and this election will be different than any Rhode Islanders have experienced. For the safety of voters and poll...

PROVIDENCE – All dine-in food and beverage service in Rhode Island will be shut down for at least two weeks starting Tuesday, March 16 per order of Gov. Gina Raimondo. The governor announced the news in her briefing on the state's reaction to COVID 19 Monday morning. The action follows a similar order issued in Massachusetts over the weekend. It...