EAST PROVIDENCE — The services of several East Providence Fire Department personnel were necessary early Friday morning, Dec. 27, to help put out a blaze on an old railroad bridge located off shore in the Seekonk River.

The EPFD responded with two engines, a ladder truck, a brush truck, the special hazards unit and with an assist from the Cranston Fire Department’s boat around 8 o’clock Friday morning off Waterfront Drive, according to EPFD Lieutenant James Bellamy.

The firefighters had to carry portable pumps down to the shoreline to battle the fire on the wooden base structure of the railroad bridge, which was once part of the Providence-Worcester line.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The incident remains under investigation.

— Photos by EPFD Lt. James Bellamy

EAST PROVIDENCE — It’s becoming a regular occurrence in the Riverside section of the city, cars pulled to the curb viewing the grazing habits of several deer inside the fenced property owned by the ExxonMobil Co. just off Wampanoag Trail.

On Friday afternoon, Dec. 27, around dusk, two distinct groups of white tail deer were seeking out their dinner near the fence along Forbes Street, one, with as many as five members, was very close to the Trail near the entrance to KendBrin Swim Club and the Centre Court Tennis Club.

A bit farther to the west along Forbes, near the entryway to the Exxon facility, another group, three in number, pecked away at the grass and brush in search of sustenance.

Several cars stopped for a period of time on both sides of Forbes Street to take in the scenic natural setting. For their part, the deer seemed unfazed by the minor intrusion of their time, going about their business with little curiosity of those watching.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The readers of The East Providence Post’s page at eastbayri.com spoke with their mouses and touch pads over the last 12 months, displaying varied interests as one might expect on topics of note throughout 2013.

Untimely and sad deaths of two residents were among the list of most viewed stories from January to December. Others receiving interest dealt mostly with crime and punishment matters, though one involved very positive national exposure a local business received.

Overall at the site, which includes offerings from the seven weekly titles owned by East Bay Newspapers as well as its Life section, the suicide of an elderly woman by jumping off the Mt. Hope Bridge in January received the most views with 18,302. Stories chronicling the unseemly situation regarding brothers charged with child molestation in Bristol were second (9,809) and third (8,806).

The top East Providence story, the death of Christiano Tré Barbosa, Jr., ranked fourth overall at eastbayri.com with nearly 8,000 page views.

The reader’s choices of the top 10 most important stories of 2013 are as follows:

1. East Providence teen dies in Bryant University area car accident

Mr. Barbosa, a 2013 East Providence High School graduate, died as a result of a single-car accident early Thursday morning, Oct. 24, on the Bryant University campus in Smithfield.

Mr. Barbosa was one of five Bryant students in the vehicle at the time it careened into a tree on Physical Road at approximately 1 a.m., according Smithfield Police.

Mr. Barbosa was the most seriously injured of the young people. He was air-lifted to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead from the injuries he suffered. The four other students were treated for various injuries and each was released.

7,700 page views

2. NEASC affirms decision to place East Providence High School on probation

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) affirmed its decision to place East Providence High School on probationary status, doing so in a letter penned to principal Janet Sheehan and submitted by Superintendent Kim Mercer to the School Committee at its meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 10.

Mrs. Mercer, who read the NEASC letter into the record, said she was “a little disappointed in the response, but I do understand.”

EPHS has been on “warning” status for the last five years, ever since a group representing NEASC visited the facility for a 10-year accreditation review back in early 2008.

5,800 page views

3. ‘Tackling trafficking’: East Providence Police Vice Unit takes down drug dealers in ‘Operation Blindside’

East Providence Police Sergeant Diogo Mello and members of the department’s Vice Unit gave The Post an “all-access” look at what it takes to interdict the local drug scene.

The unit worked the undercover case, which it dubbed ‘Operation Blindside’ with a nod to the football season, for over six months. The efforts of the officers culminated with over two dozen arrests.

5,200 page views

4. State Police are in fact taking a regular tour of duty in East Providence

The curious case of what many deemed an unprecedented Rhode Island State Police presence in the city took place in late August.

The Staties were taking a regular patrol and conducting normal law enforcement activities including traffic stops in the city, which Superintendent Colonel Steven O’Donnell would later say was part of his department’s effort to curb drunk driving around the Labor Day holiday.

EPPD Chief Joseph Tavares disputed claims he requested the State Police presence. Events eventually led to terse email and in-person exchanges between Col. O’Donnell and then-City Manager Peter Graczykowski.

2,400 page views

5. East Providence’s Italian Corner gets Fieri, Food Network exposure

Though it was originally posted following its debut broadcast back in late 2012, the Italian Corner Deli’s appearance on on Guy Fieri’s hit Food Network television program “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” still ranked among the most well-received for the last 12 months.

The story proved an example of the power of publicity as well as how the internet works. The first version of the post followed the Italian Corner’s segment that debuted back on Oct. 15, 2012 during the episode entitled “Handcrafted” and was well received at the time. However, after periodic re-airings of “Diners” throughout 2013, it continued to gain hits and maintain traction.

The Italian Corner, owned by Osvaldo Pirro, along with his brother-in-law, chef and store manager Massimo Dellolio, got the full “Fieri” treatment with two segments showing off its cuisine. And there’s no doubt the exposure likely helped the already success local business that much more prosperous.

2,200 page views

6. East Providence teen Barbosa remembered as fine young man, student

Again, the reaction to the passing of young Mr. Barbosa drew great interest from the readers. The son of former School Committee member Shannon Barbosa, was remembered as a “really nice kid, a smart kid” by EPHS Advanced Placement History teacher Gregg Amore.

EPHS Science teacher and boys’ volleyball coach for the Townies Keith Martinous, for whom Mr. Barbosa played, echoed the sentiments of his colleague, saying “Chris was an extremely upbeat and emotional player. He brought a lot of heart to the team.”

Mr. Barbosa was also a member of the EPHS swim team.

“It’s a terrible thing,” Mr. Amore concluded, noting this is the fifth former EPHS he’s known personally to have past during his time as a teacher. “I was shaken up by it. I found out during a class, and I had to compose myself.”

2,100 page views

7. East Providence Police identify fatality in accident on Bullocks Point Avenue

The sudden death of a city woman in mid-November drew great interest.
Laurie Rozen, 53, of 25 Bullocks Point Ave., was struck and killed on Bullocks Point Avenue, between Willett and Pawtucket Avenues. Witnesses said she ran into oncoming traffic and was hit by a 2003 Nissan Altima.

The operator of the striking vehicle, a 39-year-old female also from East Providence, had been traveling north on Bullocks Point Avenue in the left lane when she suddenly saw Ms. Rozen standing in her lane of travel, possibly attempting to cross the road, at which point the collision occurred. No charges were filed in the case.

1,985 page views

8. East Providence Fire Department accepts registrations, recruitment period begins

The East Providence Fire Department’s recruitment of 12 new firefighters ranked among the top stories of 2013. The 12 probationary hires would bring the department close to full employment levels and help end a long practice of paying current firefighters significant amounts of overtime.

“This is the first step in a long process,” EPFD Chief Oscar Elmasian said at the time. “We hope to fill 12 spots. We’re going to start with a recruitment process. Then there’s applications. The recruits will have to take a written test. They’ll be an oral interview and background checks. Those we accept will then have to go through the (fire training) city school for between 13 and 16 weeks. It’s a long process.”

The funds to pay for the hires would come from the savings the department would get from the reduction in overtime pay as well as potential Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants from the federal government. The “probies” are expected to begin the academy shortly with actual deployment to active duty by May of 2014.

1,975 page views

9. Barrington woman arrested for making threats at East Providence High School

A Barrington resident with a history of incidents in the city turned herself into police Wednesday morning, Jan. 30, after she allegedly made a threat of gun violence at East Providence High School two days earlier.

After a brief investigation, a warrant was issued Cynthia Balcewicz’s arrest. She turned herself in at the East Providence Department headquarters early Wednesday. She pleaded not guilty in Sixth District Court later that same day.

The incident began innocently enough it appears with Ms. Balcewicz’s son calling her to say he was sick and to ask to be picked up from school. He did so from his cell phone, which is against school policy. A student is required to notify the school nurse of any illness. The nurse then calls the parent.

Notified of the transgression of school rules, Ms. Balcewicz became upset and “stormed” out, according to a report made by EPPD School Resource Officer Doug Borden. As she left the building, Ms. Balcewicz walked past two school aides and allegedly said she should come back and “shoot up the school.” The aides immediately went to Officer Borden to report the incident. He began the investigation by taking statements from each and reviewing security video where he was able to establish Ms. Balcewicz’s presence in the building and identify her.

It was not the first time Ms. Balcewicz has run afoul of local authorities. She was charged by the EPPD with possession of a firearm back in 2001 after her apartment was raided for drugs. She has also been a party to, but not charged, in a number of events since. City officials are also looking into how Ms. Balcewicz’s son goes to EPHS while she currently lists her residence in Barrington.

1,950 page views

10. ‘Operation Blindside’ mugshots photo

The compilation of photographs taken of the those arrested during the East Providence Police’s “Operation Blindside,” which accompanied the story on the sting received quite a few hits.

1,885 page views

Honorable Mention. East Providence Police Chief Tavares put on administrative leave, Parella takes top spot

The long-standing drama involving the the city’s “top cop” and the rank-and-file took one of its more dramatic turns in April when just after the state-appointed Budget Commission returned day-to-day operations of East Providence back to local administrators, City Manager Graczykowski placed the chief on leave pending an investigation into complaints from with the department. Major Christopher Parella was tabbed as the interim chief.

The move backfired on Mr. Graczykowski as State Director of Finance Rosemary Booth Gallogly immediately reinstated the Commission. Following its own investigation, Chief Tavares was reinstated about a month later. Major Parella returned to his role as second in command.

The state appointees would remain in place through the summer, eventually hiring Paul Luba to continue oversight of the city before it once more disbanded. The situation and his actions in it served as one of the reasons for Mr. Graczykowski’s dismissal by the City Council in November. Former City Manager Pail Lemont was hired on an acting basis, where he remains as of the New Year.

1,885 page views

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Providence Country Day School has named its honor roll students for the first trimester of the 2013-14 term. Students are list by grade, last name, honor level and hometown.

8, Bloom, Michael, Honors, Attleboro

12, Salgueiro, Kyle, High Honors, Barrington; 7, Fiorito, Robert, Honors, Barrington; 8, Maio, A.J., Honors, Barrington; 9, Quas, Maxon, Honors, Barrington; 11, Newman, Barry, Honors, Barrington

12, Crespi, Bailey, Honors, Berkley

11, Hampton, Maxwell, Honors, Bristol

7, Carranza, Alison, High Honors, Cranston; 10, Diwan, Dante, High Honors, Cranston; 12, Diwan, Alexander, High Honors, Cranston; 7, Rael, Lola, Honors, Cranston; 10, Thaler, Aliya, Honors, Cranston; 11, Petronio, Christopher, Honors, Cranston

11, Gnys, Emily, High Honors, Cumberland; 12, Mazza, Laurie, High Honors, Cumberland

7, Philips, Joshua, Honors, Dartmouth

12, Amburn, Amalia, High Honors, Dayville

9, Shamgochian, John, High Honors, East Providence

10, Liebhauser, Max, High Honors, Jamestown; 10, Zelaya-Rincon, Gabriel, Honors, Jamestown

7, Jawharjian, Zachary, Honors, Lincoln; 10, Azar, Alexander, Honors, Lincoln; 11, Galleshaw, Matthew, Honors, Lincoln; 11, Walker, Jake, Honors, Lincoln

11, LaRose, Justin, Honors, Mansfield

12, Montoya-Pimolwatana, Maya, Honors, Middletown

9, Marsella, Matthew, Honors, Narragansett

12, Kanter, Eli, High Honors, New Bedford; 7, Franklin, Hanna, Honors, New Bedford; 7, Franklin, Paige, Honors, New Bedford

12, Cloherty, Bryan, High Honors, North Attleboro

10, Press, Max, Honors, North Providence; 11, Lough, Robert, High Honors, North Providence; 10, Gall, Mark, Honors, North Providence; 11, Perez, Catalina, Honors, North Providence

6, Farrelly, Leo, High Honors, Norton; 7, Tetreault, Michael, High Honors, Norton

9, Ehrlich, Lucy, High Honors, Pawtucket; 12, Weiner, Elizabeth, High Honors, Pawtucket; 8, Guzman, Alexandra, Honors, Pawtucket; 10, Gallego Acosta, Sebastian, Honors, Pawtucket

9, Wray, Tucker, High Honors, Portsmouth; 12, Spiro, Abigail, High Honors, Portsmouth

7, Schaefer, Henry, High Honors, Providence; 8, Schaefer, Peder, High Honors, Providence; 9, Wu, Rosalind, High Honors, Providence; 11, Chen, Eddie, High Honors, Providence; 11, Galor, Omri, High Honors, Providence; 11, Wu, Caroling, High Honors, Providence; 12, Bharier, Esther, High Honors, Providence; 6, Crucey, Sonya, Honors, Providence; 6, Littell, Liana, Honors, Providence; 7, Disandro, Nathan, Honors, Providence; 8, Campbell, Olivia, Honors, Providence

9, Bauman, David, High Honors, Rehoboth; 11, Bauman, Isabelle, High Honors, Rehoboth; 7, McLaughlin, Catherine, Honors, Rehoboth; 7, Musto, William, Honors, Rehoboth; 9, Hobson, Ethan, Honors, Rehoboth; 11, Potter, Jessica, Honors, Rehoboth; 12, McGonigle, Huntter, Honors, Rehoboth; 12, Tschirch, David, Honors, Rehoboth

6, Trendell, Elliott, High Honors, Riverside; 9, Feeney, Sean, Honors, Riverside; 11, Wolfson, Rafi, Honors, Riverside

11, Anderson, Moira, High Honors, Rumford; 6, Britto, Illianna, Honors, Rumford; 6, Moubayed, Alexander, Honors, Rumford; 6, Moura, Paul, Honors, Rumford; 7, Britto, Isaiah, Honors, Rumford; 7, Chiariello, Andrew, Honors, Rumford; 10, Anderson, Beibhinn, Honors, Rumford; 10, Brennan, Patrick, Honors, Rumford; 10, Britto, Isabel, Honors, Rumford; 10, McNamara, Jr., Joe, Honors, Rumford; 12, McCarthy, Callan, Honors, Rumford

12, D’ Alessandro, Ryan, Honors, Scituate

10, Shang, Peter, High Honors, Seekonk; 11, Greene, John, High Honors, Seekonk

7, Damiano, Dante, Honors, Smithfield; 11, Mongeon, Sofia, Honors, Smithfield

9, Pope, Lexi, High Honors, South Dartmouth

10, Spiegel, Stephanie, Honors, Swansea

12, Christman, Julia, High Honors, Tiverton; 12, Dowling-Huppert, Elias, Honors, Tiverton

10, Le Gallo, Benoit, Honors, Warren; 12, Bullard, Alexa, Honors, Warren; 12, Pearson, Nicholas, Honors, Warren

6, Demetrakas, Gregory, High Honors, Warwick; 9, Viall, Henry, Honors, Warwick;

12, Benjamin, Sarah, Honors, Warwick

9, Byrnes, Eli, High Honors, Westport; 11, Horton, Alanna, High Honors, Westport

PROVIDENCE — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for all of Rhode Island from 4 a.m. Thursday until 10 a.m. Friday morning. The current prediction for snow accumulation in Rhode Island is 6 to 10 inches.

The snow is expected to begin after midnight tonight until Friday morning, with the heaviest and steadiest snowfall occurring late Thursday into the Friday morning. Snowfall may make driving difficult at times and visibility may be reduced. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution.

As of early evening, Jan. 1, the East Providence Police Department had yet to enact a parking ban for the city. To view updates on the potential ban and other closings, click here…

RIEMA will be open and monitoring weather conditions and state activities for any storm-related issues.  RIEMA will continue to receive updates from the National Weather Service and coordinate with state agencies and local emergency management directors.

RIEMA reminds everyone of winter weather preparedness tips:

• Expect extreme cold temperatures and wind chills for Rhode Island in the next several days with temperatures well below normal.
• Add winter blankets, warm clothes, hats, scarves, and mittens to individual emergency kits.
• Make sure you can heat at least one room in your home even if the power or furnace is not available.
• Add extra blankets, snow shovel, ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction) to your car emergency kit.
• Make sure your car’s tires have enough tread on them.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Continue to monitor TV, radio stations and social media outlets for updates to weather reports.

For additional information on winter preparedness, visit www.riema.ri.gov.

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Police are continuing their quest to find missing city native Daniel Larue, who was last seen on Thursday, Jan. 2.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, EPPD detectives and other personnel remained on alert for any leads in the case, which was first brought to light late Saturday, Jan. 5.

“Unfortunately, there are no updates,” said EPPD Lieutenant Michael David. “We are still investigating this as a missing person case.”

Again, anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr. Larue is urged to contact the East Providence Police Department immediately at (401) 435-7600.

The mother of the slain victim, Reina Rodgriguez, needs to be restrained by bailiffs at the arraignment hearing for alleged murder Will Tate, Jan. 6, in Providence.

At 11 a.m., members of the State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and Lincoln Woods Barracks arrested Will B. Tate, 34, of 87 Sutton Ave., Apartment No. 2, as a Fugitive from Justice from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

An investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and the Fall River Police Department identified Mr. Tate as the suspect in an alleged murder that occurred in Fall River during the early morning hours of January 5.

The information and the knowledge that Mr. Tate had ties to the city was forwarded to the Rhode Island State Police and the East Providence Police Department.  The ensuing inquiry by local authorities resulted in the arrest of Mr. Tate when his car was stopped at the intersection of Point Street and West Franklin Street in Providence by Troopers from the Lincoln Woods Barracks and the State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force.

According to the Bristol County (Mass.) District Attorney’s office, Mr. Tate will be charged in the Commonwealth for the murder of David Rodriguez, a 26-year-old Fall River resident. Mr. Tate is also being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The crime is alleged to have been committed at the Ship’s Cove Apartment Complex, where Mr. Rodriguez resided, located at 130 Canal St., Fall River. Witnesses called police after reporting hearing shots fired. Rescue personnel later transported Mr. Rodriguez to St. Anne’s Hospital, also in Fall River, where shortly thereafter he was declared dead.

Mr. Tate will be arraigned as a fugitive from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Sixth Division District Court in Providence at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6.

Photos by Kathy Borchers/Pool Photographer, Providence Journal

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Department of Environmental Management will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to discuss the draft water quality restoration plan for the Ten Mile River. The meeting will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Weaver Library located at 41 Grove Ave. in East Providence.

The Ten Mile River and its impoundments, Central Pond, Turner Reservoir, and Omega Pond do not meet state water quality standards for total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, pathogens, and the following metals: aluminum, cadmium, lead, and iron. These water quality impairments adversely affect both recreational use and aquatic life. As a result of the elevated phosphorus levels, the river and its impoundments frequently experience excessive growth of rooted aquatic plants and algae, low dissolved oxygen levels and cyanobacteria blooms. These nuisance conditions impact aquatic life, and in the case of cyanobacteria blooms, make the river unsafe for recreation.

Wastewater and stormwater discharges represent the two most significant sources of pollution to the river. The Ten Mile River is effluent dominated, meaning that a majority of the riverís flow during periods of no precipitation consists of treated wastewater discharged from two publicly-owned treatment works located in North Attleborough and Attleboro, Massachusetts. The watershed is also heavily urbanized with total coverage by impervious surfaces in the Massachusetts portion of the watershed at 20% and in Rhode Island at over 40%. Thus under rain and/or snowmelt events, urban runoff containing pathogens, metals, and phosphorus, flows largely untreated into the Ten Mile River ñ further degrading its water quality.

Other sources of pollutants to the Ten Mile River and its impoundments include: 1) nuisance populations of non-migratory geese and swans, 2) contaminated sediments re-introduced to the water column via scour of streambed and streambank during high flows, 3) contaminated groundwater, 4) phosphorus released from sediments in impounded portions of the river, and 5) natural sources that include native wildlife, forests and other undeveloped land, and atmospheric deposition. These source categories may intermittently contribute pollutants to the river system, but are not easily quantified.

The water quality restoration plan, prepared by RIDEMís Office of Water Resources, is consistent with federal Clean Water Act requirements and is formally called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The TMDL details specific pollution abatement requirements and recommendations for pollution sources in RI including urban runoff, nuisance populations of waterfowl, and fertilizer and other chemical applications at golf courses. The cities of Pawtucket and East Providence, and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be required to amend their Stormwater Management Program Plans consistent with the requirements described in the document.

For water quality objectives to be achieved, pollution reduction is also necessary in the Massachusettsí portion of the watershed. Towards that end, the TMDL establishes allowable pollutant loads at the northern MA/RI state line. The document does not specify how the needed pollutant reductions are to be achieved in Massachusetts, however, in re-issuing the two MA wastewater treatment facilitiesí NPDES permits, US EPA and MADEP must take into consideration the TMDLís findings.

Given that the Ten Mile River is a bi-state river system, RIDEM has sought to coordinate with MADEP and US EPA throughout the TMDL development process beginning with development and implementation of a watershed wide sampling plan in 2007 and 2008 (with technical support from US EPA). RIDEM has also coordinated with MADEP and US EPA counterparts on the overall technical approach for establishing allowable pollutant loads, and on development of pollution abatement recommendations.

The water quality restoration actions outlined in this TMDL complement the US Army Corps of Engineers’ $4.8 million project to restore anadromous fish to the Ten Mile River by creating fish ladders at Omega Pond Dam, Hunt’s Mill Dam and the dam at Turner Reservoir. Completion of all three fishways will allow alewives, blueback herring and American shad to reach their freshwater spawning habitats in the Ten Mile River up to the Golf Club Dam in Pawtucket. Restoring fish passage to the Ten Mile River provides significant benefits to the freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and to the surrounding communities. Improving the quality of these waters is an essential component of river restoration efforts.

The Executive Summary, which provides more detail on the TMDL document, is available online at RIDEMís website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/rest/reports.htm

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Herald reports Will Tate, the East Providence resident arrested as the suspect in a January 5 murder there, has been ordered held without bail after appearing in Massachusetts District Court Tuesday, Jan. 7.

According to The Herald report, “District Court Judge Thomas Barrett agreed to hold Mr. Tate without bail and set February 19 as a date for a probable cause hearing. That hearing will be held if the district attorney has not yet presented the case to a grand jury by that time.

“The case will move to the Superior Court if a grand jury reviews the evidence and agrees there is sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial.

“(Attorney Jack) Atwood, (appointed to defend the suspect), made three motions in court, which Judge Barrett granted. The first was for money to begin his own investigation, the second is for a written transcript of recorded conversations investigators conducted with Tate and witnesses. The third is for experts to examine and preserve video surveillance taken at Ship’s Cove at the time of the alleged murder.

“Because Mr. Tate is being held without bail without prejudice, Atwood can return to court at any time to make a request for bail.”

Mr. Tate, 34 and of Sutton Avenue in city, was arrested by Rhode Island State Police in Providence Sunday evening, Jan.5, as fugitive from justice from Massachusetts. Mr. Tate is alleged to have shot and killed 26-year-old Fall River resident David Rodriguez just after midnight Sunday.

Monday, Jan. 6, Mr. Tate was arraigned in Rhode Island District Court and was subsequently transferred to Massachusetts to face charges there.

EAST PROVIDENCE — A combined effort of local law enforcement personnel continued the search for missing city man Daniel Larue Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police and East Providence Police Department extended the investigation into the disappearance of the 20-year-old Rumford resident.

The East Providence Post and eastbayri.com confirmed the State Police Marine Unit assisted the EPPD’s search of the Seekonk River Wednesday.

According to State Police Lieutenant Colonel Michael Winquist, his department provided two Zodiac boats manned by divers and a State Police K-9 team for the search.

Ltc. Winquist said the teams remained in the frigid waterway for only a short period of time, suspending the search due to the icy conditions.

He added, the State Police aquatics teams would likely once again be made available to assist in the search, if necessary, later in the week when warmer weather and milder conditions are expected.

State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven O’Donnell also noted the the ice pack on the water “prohibited” any substantive dive by the team.

Mr. Larue was first reported missing on Thursday, Jan. 2. An official missing persons search has been ongoing since Saturday, Jan. 4.

Lieutenant Michael David, the lead detective on the case for the EPPD, declined to enter into specific reasons for the water search or anything else related to the matter.

“We continue to follow up any leads that are developed as to Mr. LaRue’s whereabouts,” Lt. David wrote in an email exchange. “Out of respect for the privacy of Mr. LaRue’s family; and to maintain the integrity of the investigation; I am unable to provide specifics on the search.”

EAST PROVIDENCE — Wednesday, Jan. 8, brought little relief to students and workers at the city’s academic facilities, specifically East Providence High School and Waddington Elementary.

Work continued at the high school in an attempt to bring warmth to those teachers and pupils in several classrooms with faulty blowers.

At Waddington, a burst pipe caused by the frigid temperatures forced the cancellation of classes. The problem has been fixed and the School Department announced all buildings will open on time as scheduled Thursday, Jan. 9.

Back to the high school, temps in some rooms remained below what most would deem comfortable if not acceptable. One teacher reported room temperature at exactly 60 degrees around mid-day.

School Committee Chairman Joel Monteiro, who was only notified of the situation at EPHS late Tuesday evening, was joined by fellow Committee member Tony Ferreira in spending most of Wednesday at the high school in the stead of Superintendent Kim Mercer, away from the area on a scheduled absence.

The chairman said the pair arrived at the site at 4:45 a.m. and walked the building with Facilities Manager Ed Catelli. Shortly thereafter Mr. Catelli was informed of the situation at Waddington.

Most rooms at EPHS were deemed suitable for use, Chairman Monteiro said, and those that weren’t were closed. Teachers were given the option to take advantage of unused space. Some rooms with drafts had their windows taped to blocked the cold air entering and the warm from exiting. Chairman Monteiro and Mr. Ferreira repeated their walk of the building at least two other times in the morning hours and once more in the afternoon.

The chairman said two blowers have been replaced in time for school Thursday. The four others are expected to be fixed by Monday, Jan. 13, at the latest. Chairman Monteiro added having a full-time HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) member on the facilities crew helped out both at the high school and at Waddington.

“It’s been a record-breaking temperature drop that basically exposed the deficiencies of the (EPHS) building when it comes to its heating efficiency. Those down units will be fixed. The only up side of this is that I think, with the HVAC person in place especially, we’re in a better position to deal with these types of issues in the future,” Chairman Monteiro added.

All involved were expected to catch a bit of break for the end of the week. The forecast is for exterior temperatures to climb at or above freezing Thursday and Friday after barely reaching 20 the previous two days. Daytime temps early next week are predicted to reach the upper 40s and low 50s.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The long fight of Harding Avenue residents to gain ownership of two vacant lots on the narrow street adjacent to the waterfront in the Riverside section of the city finally came to a conclusion Tuesday night, Jan. 7, when the East Providence City Council voted unanimously to sell the parcels to two neighborhood residents.

Done so in executive session and announced by Assistant City Solicitor Greg Dias during the public portion of its meeting, the Council approved the sale of Lot Nos. 15 and 17 to Sheila Cruikshank and Bettyann Perry, respectively.

Ms. Perry agreed to pay $35,000 for Lot No. 17 while Ms. Cruikshank will pay $30,000 for Lot No. 15. Both agreed to purchase the parcels with deed restrictions preventing any future development of the land.

The women did so gladly.

“I want to the thank the City Council and (City Planning Director) Jeanne Boyle,” Ms. Perry wrote in a text message exchange late Tuesday evening.

The crux of the neighbor’s most recent joust with the city was their opposition to the land being sold to developers, who planned on building at least one more structure on the already crowded street.

The land has been in dispute for the better part of the last two decades with residents intermittently attempting to buy the property they’ve used as a parking area on-and-off, mostly on, for about a half-century.

The urgency of the matter grew last year when the city-owned land was first suggested to put on the market by the state-appointed Budget Commission. By late spring of 2013, the city and its realtor had entered into a purchase and sales agreement with MJV Homes LLC, a company located in Saunderstown, R.I.

The developers initially agreed to pay $67,200 for Parcel No. 15 and $82,400 for Parcel No. 17. MJV initiated the agreement by delivering two $1,000 downpayment checks.

At its June 18, 2013 meeting, the Council, by a 3-2 tally, voted to uphold the agreement, the three members voting to go through with the sale — Jim Briden, Helder Cunha and Tommy Rose — fearing possible legal reprisals from MJV. Riverside-based Councilors Chrissy Rossi, of Ward 4, and Tracy Capobianco, At-Large, voted to remove the properties from the market.

For several years, the residents and the city had what could be called a “gentleman’s agreement” over the land. The city wouldn’t sell it to them, but neither would it sell to anyone else. In exchange, the residents could park their cars in the lot without charge.

That scenario began to change when the Commission took over governance of East Providence. Seeing the significant amount of dormant city-owned land, the state appointees decided to put all of it on the market, including the Harding Avenue lots. The main complaint of the residents when that happened was that they weren’t made aware of the possible transaction until it was too late.

Even as they were rebuffed despite their many protestations, having received numerous governmental and anecdotal reports issued in support of their cause and having given what they believe were several empty promises, the residents of Harding Avenue remained resolute in their fight in their opposition.

At the time of the vote, the Harding Avenue Homeowners Association, nine in number, it would use every measure at its disposal, including the legal system, to prevent the city from going through with its plans to sell the land.

Ultimately, however, the matter was kept out of the courts.

MJV Homes recently asked for a request to extend its purchase and sales agreement, which the Council denied. The Council also nixed a purchase offer from Imperial Investment, opting to finally allow the residents to take control of the land.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Making his first full-fledged report since retaking the position six weeks ago on an interim basis, Acting East Providence City Manager Paul Lemont spared little of his disdain for some of the situations he inherited upon upon his appointment while addressing the City Council at its meeting Tuesday evening, Jan. 7.

Mr. Lemont, previously employed as the East Providence City Manager from 1999 to 2003, began by saying he was “wrestling” with several items at City Hall as he attempted to put together a “comprehensive” report on the current state of East Providence governance. He said he was nearing that point, but claimed the chore is “harder than I thought it would be.”

Instead, he said he would give the Council a “capsule shot” of what’s happening at the moment, but also said he needed time to “straighten” things out. He made sure to mention he was not “pointing the finger at any one person” or department, knowing the problems that exist run throughout the structure.

Mr. Lemont did, however, state he believed there has been little specific and definitive direction in East Providence for several years.

“It’s clearly demonstrated that over the last eight years there’s been a lack of leadership in the city,” he said, adding there’s been little “attention to detail.”

Case in point, Mr. Lemont, a native whose maintained his residence here, pointed to the reconstruction of two of the city’s fire stations, Nos. 1 and 4 located on Broadway and Wampanoag Trail, respectively.

Mr. Lemont said he had “never seen such a messed up situation” in his life. He said there was no “continuity” of leadership on the project, which has been plagued by delays and missteps since it began in earnest in early 2013. Saying he hoped the construction could be completed in the next two months, Mr. Lemont, though, noted his disappointment with the design of the plan in general.

“If I was here two years ago (when the design was done), I would not have recommended building those additions. I think we could have done a lot better,” Mr. Lemont said.

He continued, “The product we have at the end, while acceptable, is not what I would have wanted.”

The City Manager said there’s been a lack of management and oversight of the projects, which were funded through $6 in federal funds, which as a result has allowed them to go off in “all kinds of directions.”

Mr. Lemont, as would do with a couple of issues during his report, laid some of the blame for the fire stations quandary on the since-departed Budget Commission.

The manager was pointed in his disagreement with the state appointees, chiding them for their decision to close the former School Department offices in Riverside and consolidate staff in City Hall.

“It’s left us with a very cramped building,” Mr. Lemont said, noting how the “squashed” conditions and divergent schedules of employees has caused some rancor among them.

“I think we’ve got some real problems to straighten out,” he added.

One “problem” the acting City Manager has already remedied is that of separate water and sewer bills for residents.

Several complained about and wondered why the change occurred. Mr. Lemont said it was due to the installation of new computer software. A return to the single bill, including both figures, is expected for the next quarter cycle in February.

Mr. Lemont noted other concerns expressed by taxpayers about the rise in their water and sewer charges. He said that was due to increases imposed by United Water as treatment costs grow.

On a positive note, Mr. Lemont said instead of hiring 12 firefighters, as the Commission had approved, he recently authorized adding 18 recruits to the fire department. He said three recent retirements and three more impending made the decision the logical one to make. The recruits begin their training later this month with an eye towards beginning on the job in May.

In addition, he applauded the plowing and removal efforts of Director Steve Coutu’s Public Works Department during the most recent snowstorm. Mr. Lemont said he received just “four or five” complaints, which he deemed a record low.

Also of note, Mr. Lemont encouraged the five councilors to supply him with a list of streets in their wards and around the city that rank a priority to be repaved. He said a resurfacing plan will be implemented shortly.

Mr. Lemont concluded his remarks by said that there is “some rough road ahead, even as the city is starting to shine” once again.

He said his report was a “brief sketch of where the city is right now,” and that “no day has gone by when we’ve with a problem where another problem” has arisen. His work continues.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Following the success of a previous endeavor to help those in need, local golf professional and outdoor enthusiast Devin Beck will attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in early February.

Mr. Beck, an assistant pro at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford and a Tiverton native, last crossed the country on his bicycle, pedaling some 3,000 miles from the home of the International Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., to San Diego, Calif., in support of earthquake victims in Haiti.

Tiverton native and East Providence golf professional Devin Beck is pictured arriving in San Diego after crossing the country by bicycle for his last fundraising effort to support Haitian earthquake victims.

“I’m dedicating both the climb and all of the money I raise to my late grandmother, Mary Gallagher, and also to one of my best friend’s grandmother, Evelyn Sylvia, out of New Bedford who is currently stricken with the disease,” Mr. Beck said.

His bike journey bisecting the United States last year helped raise some $6,000 for the non-profit group Executives Without Borders, which, through a program called “From Trash to Cash,” worked to provide essentials, including clean water, to needy Haitians following the devastating earthquake that racked the Caribbean nation in 2010. His sojourn took 46 days and garnered about $4,000 more than he had hoped to raise.

From February 2 to 9, Mr. Beck, 25, along with his college roommate, Erik Robinson, will join an expedition of “Kili,” the tallest free-standing and hike-able mountain in the world. Mr. Beck, a climbing novice, said he can attempt to ascend Mt. Kilimanjaro because no technical expertise is needed to traverse the noted landmark, which reaches a daunting 19,341 feet into the sky.

“I decided on ‘Kili’ because I like to do the extremes,” Mr. Beck explained. “It’s the highest mountain in the world you can hike and reach the summit without having to know anything about technical climbing. I like to go big and this is as big as it gets with the use of ice picks and carabiners (metal loops). It presents a formidable challenge.”

Mr. Beck is using the website “Crowdrise” to raise money for his cause. To date, he has raised slightly more than half his goal of $2,500. Those wishing to donate can visit www.crowdrise.com/ClimbingKilimanjaroforalz/fundraiser/DevinBeck.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Fire Department, which in the last few days helped put out two blazes in nearby Barrington and also rescued a deer, continued its very busy stretch Sunday, Jan. 12.

An East Providence Post/eastbayri.com reader submitted a photo (below) showing firefighters “securing a truck stuck in the sand and overcome by high tide as the winter sun sets across the river from the former Crescent Park property in Riverside at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday.”

No one was reported injured during the incident.

As noted, EPFD also rescued a deer from the frigid waters of the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay off Bullocks Point Friday, Jan. 10. The deer was found to be in good stead and was delivered to the State Department of Environmental Management for release in Bristol.

Marie (Mattera) Petrucci, 87, passed away December 15, 2013 at the Evergreen Health Center in East Providence, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Born and raised in the Federal Hill section of Providence, she was a daughter of the late Giovanni Giuseppe and Fortuna (Migliaccio) Mattera. She was the wife of the late Emilio Petrucci, Jr. for 67 years; mother of Joanna and Diana Petrucci; sister of Anthony Mattera, and the late Salvatore, John and Gennaro “Jerry” Mattera, Yolanda Pacitto and Filomena Petrucci.

Mrs. Petrucci was a jewelry supervisor for 20 years. She also worked in quality control for the A.T. Cross Co. for 25 years, where she won numerous awards for her Christmas presentations. She fashioned the palm crosses at Easter for St. Martha’s Church. She loved life and all of its celebrations, cherished the holidays with family and friends and forever will be in their hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Martha Church, East Providence. Burial took place in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Donations in Mrs. Petrucci’s memory may be made to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Ave., Suite. 201, Pawtucket, R.I., 02860.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island House of Representatives Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Dist. 4, Providence) visited with the Young Democrats Club at East Providence High School Friday, Jan. 10.

As part of his 90-minute stay, Speaker Fox presented the group with his views on the current status of state government while answering several questions asked by the students. The Speaker, elected to the leadership post in 2010, last week called the House into session for 2014.

BRISTOL — Teams representing two city schools were among those locals to earn awards at the FIRST LEGO League State Championships at Roger William’s University Saturday, Jan. 11.

The “CyborGators,” from The Gordon School, won the Project Award for innovative solution. The Gators included Jack Stone, Katie Ginn, Maia Wolf-Livingston, Will Short, Alex Sienkiewicz and Ben Zevon. Nick Terry and Rosemary Colt were the coaches.

The “Electrifying Storms,” from Martin Middle School, won the Core Values Award for inspiration. Martin team students included Logan Rinaldi, Taylor Heck, Christiana Rebollo, Samantha Carroll, Cedric Petion, Joey Teixeira, Olivia Soares, Clara Cruz, Isabel Cruz and Tahjin Niblett

In addition, two mentors for the Martin team Dakota Dolde and Nicholas Lazouras, were recognized for their efforts in assisting the youngsters.

The FIRST LEGO competition inspires students to work with robotics while testing their skills in science, technology and math.

The 13th Annual FIRST LEGO League Rhode Island Robotics Tournament, sponsored by Rhode Island School of the Future and National Grid.

Project Awards:
Innovative Solution: CyborGators, Gordon School, East Providence

Core Values Awards:
Inspiration: Electrifying Storms, Martin Middle School, East Providence

Youth Mentor Awards (High School & College Students who are recognized for a being a significant role model and mentor to an FLL team):
Dakota Dolde, Electrifying Storms, Martin Middle School, East Providence
Nicholas Lazouras, Electrifying Storms, Martin Middle School, East Providence

There were four teams from East Providence that participated in Saturday’s: Electrifying Storms, of Martin Middle School; Raports, of Riverside Middle School; CyborGators, of The Gordon School; and Chamelion Circuit Boards, also of Riverside Middle School.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne Jr.

Photos by Rich Dionne
Townies forward Marina Ramos (left) pulls down a rebound in the first half.

The Huskies, who entered the contest with a 1-1 record in II-East games, opened up a working margin early in the second half and never trailed the rest of the way. For the home-standing Townies, the loss was their first in three league games to date.

East Providence started the contest on a 10-4 run, but Mt. Hope answered to tie the game and the score stayed relatively even all the way to intermission when the Huskies took a slim 23-21 edge to the locker room.

Out of the break, the Townies once again knotted the score at 23, but in short order the Huskies regained the edge and would eventually build a 38-32 by the mid-point of the period. East Providence would get no closer than five (40-35) for the remainder of the game.

The senior tandem of Lauren Fletcher and Emma Pattie paced the visitors. Fletcher netted a game-best 17 points for the Huskies while Pattie added 14. Sophomore guard Angela Leonardo had a team-high 16 for the Townies. Freshman Julie Andrade chipped in 10.

Both teams return to action Friday night, Jan. 17. Mt. Hope is home for Tiverton and East Providence travels to Newport for a game against unbeaten and first-place Rogers (3-0). Tip-off for each contest is 7 p.m.

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Fire Department personnel quickly contained a small fire inside a residence at the Taunton Avenue Apartment complex mid-afternoon Thursday, Jan. 16.

EPFD Chief Oscar Elmasian said crews arrived on the scene at approximately 3:30 p.m. First on site was Engine 5. Once inside, firefighters were greeted by “heavy smoke” in a second floor unit, according to the chief, who said personnel quickly established a bathroom ceiling fan had caught fire.

Chief Elmasian said it took firefighters only minutes to contain the fire and ascertain it had not spread any further in the building, which has a large number of elderly occupants, but needed time to clear it of the smoke.

No injuries were reported, according to the chief. Upon the fire department’s departure from the scene, Chief Elmasian said it was uncertain if the occupant of the unit was displaced.

The fire, which initially reached the two-alarm level, occurred on the Whelden Avenue side of the building, known by many as both the original home of East Providence High School and then as Central Junior High.