The 20 Biggest Rhode Island News Stories of 2020
GoLocalProv News Team
The 20 Biggest Rhode Island News Stories of 2020
GoLocal wrote its first story about the virus in mid-January and since then has conducted more than 250 interviews on GoLocal LIVE with medical experts and journalists from across the globe.
Interwoven throughout the year were important political, economic and investigative stories that broke during a historic crisis.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOf the top 20 stories, approximately half were related to Rhode Island’s struggle to control the virus or the economic impact, but there was also so much more — riots, social activism, a recession, and some good and bad behavior.
See the top 20 stories read on GoLocal in 2020.
The 20 Biggest News Stories of 2020
#20
Economic Tsunami
In September, GoLocal wrote about the growing list of iconic restaurants impacted by the economic downturn.
It is a growing economic tsunami. Restaurants in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts are closing by the day. In the past week alone, some of the best-known restaurants in the area have announced their closure or that they are for sale.
The announcement of restaurants closing started in right after Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo closed down much of the state on March 16 under her emergency powers -- including restaurants. By March 25, Bravo Bistro in downtown Providence was among the first to announced it would close permanently.
It was the first significant restaurant to announce it was closing. It was quickly followed by Nick’s of Westminster and then the dominos started to fall.
#19
7 ACI Prisoners May Have Been Infected With HIV or Syphilis, Asserts Lawsuit
A GoLocal exclusive unveiled the allegations and corresponding lawsuit tied to contaminated vials at the RI prison.
The January story read:
A lawsuit has been filed in Providence Superior Court on behalf of seven prisoners who suffer from diabetes -- and who may have been infected with HIV and or syphilis.
“As prisoners, plaintiffs were wholly dependent on the ACI medical staff to provide them with safe and adequate medical treatment. However, in September 2018, the ACI medical staff breached that responsibility. Defendant Christopher Whitcomb, RN, a nurse entrusted with Plaintiffs’ care and employed by the State of Rhode Island, negligently contaminated two vials of insulin with one or more dirty needles used by one or more other prisoners,” according to the complaint. READ THE FULL STORY
#18
Coronavirus in RI: Pick Bars or Schools Says Dr. Fine — 5% of RIers Infected Die From Disease
The death rate has decreased, but in August the mortality rate was still at approximately 5%.
Dr. Michael Fine, the former RI Director of Health said RI would suffer if it tried to keep bars open while opening schools. RI did and the cases began to rocket upwards -- in December, RI had the most cases per 100,000 residents.
GoLocal reported:
Dr. Michael Fine is warning that Rhode Island is not doing enough to control the spread of the coronavirus -- which he says is going to adversely impact the opening of schools.
“I think our job needs to be to close bars and inside dining…and then drive the number of infections per 100,000 to five and then we can get schools going and opening bars and restaurants again,” said Fine, the former Rhode Island Director of Health.
“We, not only as a state but as a nation, we are trying to have our cake and eat it too. I just don’t think it is going to work,” said Fine.
According to Governor Gina Raimondo's metrics, many of Rhode Island's largest communities -- including many of the schools in the urban corridor -- would not be able to open on September 14, if numbers continue at their existing level.
READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE THE VIDEO
#17
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Highways in Chaos, State Police Make ATV Arrest, Gangs Rampant on 95 &195
GoLocal secured a video of a gang of ATV riders creating chaos on 95 and 195. The gangs became a public safety problem all summer with numerous accidents and injuries and at least one death.
GoLocal reported in August:
Rhode Island State Police received multiple calls about a night of chaos on interstate I-95 and I-195 caused by a gang of an estimated 40 ATVs, three-wheeled motorcycles and dirt bikes.
State Police made one arrest in the incidents that blocked roads and made highways dangerous for drivers. Video secured but GoLocal shows multiple near collisions on the highways.
As GoLocal exclusively reported on Friday night that two accidents occurred involving illegal bikes in Providence with multiple people being hospitalized.
READ THE STORY AND WATCH THE VIDEO
#16
Top Doctor Says RI Needs New Strategy to Combat Coronavirus Disaster in State
Dr. Michael Fine joined GoLocal and urged RI to take immediate action. The November appearance warned that RI's cases were out of control.
Fine said:
The pace of growth of new coronavirus cases is now doubling in less than a week and on Wednesday, Rhode Island recorded 919 new cases.
At the present pace, Rhode Island will potentially face close to 2,000 new cases daily by Thanksgiving — a number that will overwhelm the state’s hospitals.
Covid Act Now -- the non-profit data organization comprised of researchers from Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Security, Stanford University Clinical Excellence Research Center, and Harvard Global Health Institute -- has tapped Rhode Island's trajectory as “Critical” for two weeks.
Modeling by the University of Washington’s IHME finds that at a worst-case scenario, Rhode Island could realize more than 1,800 additional deaths by the end of January.
Rhode Island’s cases are exploding.
Dr. Michael Fine, the former Rhode Island Director of Health who flagged the state’s upswing in cases in September and has warned that the state needed be more aggressive in controlling the spread, says Rhode Island needs a new strategy.
“What we are doing is simply too little and too late,” said Fine.
#15
Profits Over Health: Is CVS Pushing Consumers to Get a Flu Shot Too Early
A GoLocal exclsuive looked at CVS's policy of pushing flu vaccinations in early August.
GoLocal reported:
CVS is now running promotions and incentives targeting consumers to receive their flu shots this year as early as August. The coordinated campaign includes promotional coupons. It is a strategy that is in conflict with the best healthcare practices and could cause some to have exposure to the flu at the height of the deadly season.
“For a limited time while supplies last in participating states, customers will receive a $5 off $20 shopping pass when they get a flu shot at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic, valid August 18 through October 31. Patients who receive a flu shot at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic locations inside select Target stores will receive a $5 Target coupon,” says the CVS promo.
Neither federal nor state health officials recommend flu vaccinations in August. The Rhode Island Department of Health’s annual campaign to promote flu vaccination historically begins in October. One top public health expert charges the CVS’ strategy is picking profits over public health.
#14
Kelly Adams: Oh Gina, What I Do for a Living is Not a Throw-Away Job
A guest MINDSETTER™ by a Rhode Island bartender went viral on social media.
Kelly Adams wrote about how Governor Gina Raimondo's comments were negative about the value of hospitality jobs.
She wrote:
Oh Gina...I know that my "service job" doesn't require a high school diploma but it doesn't make what I do for a living a throw-away job.
So when you say it may take some time and everyone will eventually get back to work, even if it's a different job, how does that work?
I'm supposed to take some crappy job and be happy with it because at least I have a job?
And, for your information, Gina, I have two college degrees and I made more money tending bar than I ever did teaching high school.
I made more money working than I did on unemployment even with the bonus. Simply saying 'we will get you back to work, even if it's a different job' - that doesn't sit well with me.
#13
“F—king Get Over It,” Says Providence Councilwoman About Music Complaint at Downtown Bar
Providence City Councilwoman Kat Kerwin told police that downtown neighbors should “f—king get over it,” after a complaint was made about loud music at a bar — that was not licensed for entertainment.
#12
GoLocal Investigation Leads to Federal Guilty Plea for Man Who Preyed on Immigrants
The GoLocal investigation began in 2018 and in 2020, Bienvenido “Alex” Peralta Martinez, a Central Falls resident pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to charges he defrauded numerous people who had recently immigrated from the Dominican Republic by pocketing fees he told them that they had to pay when submitting their naturalization applications.
In January of 2018, GoLocal unveiled the scheme. A multiple-month investigation by GoLocal tracked the enterprise that had tied Peralta Martinez to a NY-businessman barred from representing immigrants.
On Wednesday the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island said in a statement that Peralta Martinez admitted he knew that their fees were waived but lied to his victims to take their money.
Further, Peralta Martinez admitted that he falsely told people who sought his assistance in the preparation and submission of naturalization applications that he was required to submit a fee along with the application when, in fact, he typed and signed his victims’ names on a form requesting that the fees be waived.
Peralta Martinez in court admitted that he demanded that payment for the fee be made in the form of money orders. The victims paid Peralta Martinez for the preparation of their naturalization applications, and then Peralta Martinez stole money from them by pocketing the proceeds of those money orders.
#11
PC Student Tells RI Woman to “Fall Down Flight of Stairs” After Pics Posted of Apparent Violations
In the midst of the first surge of the virus, tempers were short and one episode was especially ugly.
As GoLocal reported in May:
A Rhode Island woman posted pictures on Wednesday of students partying in close proximity to Providence College in apparent violation of state social distancing and mask orders.
One student then messaged her personally and told her to "go fall down a flight of stairs."
Briel Delmonaco told GoLocalProv she was driving through the neighborhood when she saw the group congregating on Eaton Avenue -- and said she was disturbed.
“I was not trying to shame anyone, [but I was] totally disheartened with everything all of us are going through, this was so disrespectful and unsafe,” said Delmonaco. "I mean, they could have gone and partied in the backyard if they wanted to."
Delmonaco said that after posting the pics, she “began getting friend requests” from students at PC — as well as threats.
"I’m in the event industry. I don't need the threats. We’ve been absolutely devastated. We’re not getting aid or funding and we’ll be out way longer than most," said Delmonaco. "I have not said one bad thing until now. But this was too much."
#10
VIDEOS: Providence Explodes Into Violence
A riot starting on June 1 damaged nearly 100 businesses and shut down many stores that were already suffering due to the pandemic.
GoLocal reported:
Providence turned violent after midnight as crowds gathered first outside Providence Place Mall and then spread throughout downtown.
As GoLocal first reported on Monday night, approximately 60 Providence and Rhode Island State Police vehicles were deployed by the State House, Waterplace, and Providence Place Mall area.
Rhode Island State Police Colonel James Manni told GoLocal at 4:30 AM, "This was an organized attack on Providence by armed and dangerous individuals. They were not protesters."
"We were prepared, and because of that the damage was mitigated," said Manni.
Individuals involved had flares, gasoline, crowbars, according to Manni. At least two were armed.
#9
Warwick Police Union Issues Blistering Rebuke of Raimondo Mask Order & Enforcement Policy
GoLocal exclusively reported that the Warwick Police union was rebuffing one of Governor Gina Raimondo's executive orders.
Reported in May:
The Warwick Police union sent a blistering letter to Governor Gina Raimondo asserting that Warwick Police will not be used to enforce Raimondo’s executive order requiring Rhode Islanders to wear masks.
The Executive Order goes into effect Friday.
“We draw the line at the draconian measures Governor Raimondo has chosen to include in her Executive Order of mandating that all people wear masks in public under the threat of civil penalties being issued to them. Our officers work every single day to bridge the gap with our community and earn their trust. We will not stand idly by and allow Governor Raimondo’s overreaching Order to tear that bridge down, and we will certainly not be a part of it by enforcing this Order against our community,” said Jedidiah Pineau, President of the Warwick Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 7, in the letter.
Raimondo announced earlier this week that she would be signing the Executive Order director Rhode Islanders to wear face coverings in public — starting Friday.
“I’m signing an Executive Order - everyone in a public place must wear a cloth face covering,” said Raimondo on Tuesday. “There will be exceptions.” She also said there will also be enforcement.
The Warwick FOP letter went on to say the union believes that people should wear masks and that the coronavirus is a threat to public health, but was highly critical of the tone by Raimondo and other elected officials, especially Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza who called for the public shaming of people who do not wear masks.
#8
The King of Rhode Island
In 2020, GoLocal launched the inaugural long format video from its new division GoLocal Films.
This initial GoLocal Films documentary uniquely explored Rhode Island's most powerful politician.
Titled, “The King of Rhode Island - Nick Mattiello in Lockdown," the feature is the first in a three-part series focused on the rise and now paralysis of Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello.
It includes never heard before interviews and photos that capture the early years of Mattiello, long before his rise to power.
#7
RI Ice Cream Shop Considering Closing After “Disrespectful, Abusive Behavior” From Customers
It was public behavior at its worst and when GoLocal reported the story it went viral.
Here is the June story:
An ice cream shop in Rhode Island is considering closing for the summer, after saying its young staff has been subject to "disrespectful and abusive" behavior from customers.
Brickley's -- with locations in Narragansett and Wakefield -- said that some customers have been refusing to wear masks -- and berating employees who ask them to do so.
In May, an ice cream shop in Cape Cod opened during the coronavirus pandemic only to close after customers harassed employees, according to MassLive.
Brickley's posted the following on Monday:
"The summer weather is here along with the crowds coming to visit our beautiful area. With these crowds come some disgruntled people. The larger majority of our customers are understanding of the how and why we are doing business the way we are right now ... a reduced menu, fewer flavors etc in order to keep things moving and to help avoid congregating.
Over the last two weeks at both our locations we are have experienced on multiple occasions customers who will not wear their mask (asking us to show them the law) or are angry they can't get exactly what they want due to the reduced menu. I personally had one man yell at me "what's your f_ _ _ ing problem" because I told him he needed to move his car which was blocking incoming traffic. A few more expletives hurled toward me and I (for the first time in 26 years) told him to take his business elsewhere.
Some of these customers are being verbally abusive to our young staff. That is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I cannot ask our high school and college staff to police the behavior of some who choose to ignore our rules."
#6
RI Doctor Arrested for Masturbating in Front of Children, Now Chief of Med Services at State Hospital
In October, GoLocal first reported:
The newly appointed Chief of Medical Services at the Rhode Island state hospital system was previously arrested for repeatedly exposing himself and masturbating in front of children.
Now, the State of Rhode Island has put Dr. Andrew Stone in charge of the most vulnerable population in the state’s care. These patients are served at two locations Eleanor Slater in Cranston and the Zambarano facility in Burrillville.
In 2006, the Rhode Island Department of Health suspended Stone's license for five years and the then-Director of Health David Gifford wrote in his order “Director of Health has determined that the continued practice of Andrew C. Stone, M.D. would constitute an immediate danger to the public.”
According to the RI Department of Health’s order issued, “The Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, received complaints that alleged that Andrew C. Stone, M.D. exposed himself and touched himself inappropriately in front of young boys in the Seekonk, Massachusetts YMCA. The Board conducted a review of the evidence provided by the Seekonk, MA and Barrington, RI police departments. The Board has determined that this is not the first incident of this nature and has referred the matter to the Director of Health for further consideration.”
According to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), "It is the state’s only Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) with 284 beds and operated through the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH). The hospital provides long-term acute and post-acute hospital level of care to patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs."
READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE
#5
High Profile Dunkin’ Locations Closing Around Rhode Island
In June, GoLocal noticed a trend - Dunkin' Donuts stores were beginning to close. The story went national. By the end of the year, Dunkin's had announced nearly 1,000 closures.
Here is the June GoLocal report:
Three high profile Dunkin’s locations have recently closed around Rhode Island.
The Dunkin’ brand has transformed over the past few years — dropping “Donuts” from the name in September 2018.
The locations in downtown Providence, Broadway in Newport, and Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence are all high profile and long-term store locations.
Before the coronavirus hit, the company announced hundreds of store closures.
Dunkin’ announced in February it plans to close 450 locations inside of Speedway convenience stores by the end of the year, saying it can better serve these markets with the company’s own stand-alone locations.
Dunkin' is not the only chain seeing change. Starbucks will close 400 stores in the United States and Canada while moving forward with concepts that will be an integration of the digital and physical customer experience, CEO Kevin Johnson said earlier this week.
Restaurants, coffee shops, and bars across the country have been hit by the downturn in the economy and impact of coronavirus closures.
#4
Disturbing Coronavirus Trends Now Hitting Rhode Island
GoLocal unveiled the beginning of the second wave in this late July expose:
The trends in Rhode Island are worrisome.
For more than a month, Rhode Island had not seen a day of more than 77 new cases of the coronavirus.
This week, cases began to move upward. On Monday, the number of daily new cases jumped to 111 cases — the highest number of new cases since June 4.
On Saturday, Central Falls officials warned that they are seeing a significant spike of new cases. Central Falls has been one of the hottest-of-hot-spots in the United States. Approximately 5% of Central Falls residents have tested positive — 188% higher than the Rhode Island state average of 1.7%.
“We are seeing a quadrupling of positive cases in the last few days, although it was associated with a huge increase with the demand for testing at the Dexter Street site,” said Chief Health Strategist for the City of Central Falls, Dr. Michael Fine.
“The percentage test positive has doubled. This suggests vigorous community spread in the city and close by communities,” said Fine, who is the former Rhode Island Director of Health and appears each weekday on GoLocal LIVE.
#3
Providence Protest Draws “Biggest Crowd I Have Seen,” Says Clements—“10,000,” Says Araujo
The Friday protest against police violence and racism in Providence drew a massive crowd that began at Kennedy Plaza at the foot of City Hall and marched to the Rhode Island State House.
The crowd estimated by Mike Araujo, one of the organizers of last week’s Black Lives Matter protest, was approximately 10,000. The march was a near-constant chorus of “Black Lives Matter” during the quarter-mile trek.
The protest was less than two weeks after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis at the hands of four police officers.
Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements told GoLocal of the organized protest,” It’s the biggest crowd I have ever seen since on the force;"
Lisa Ranglin, President of the Rhode Island Black Business Association said, "I am fired up. Today's protest was massive -- I think it was about 15,000 people. It was an outpouring of amazing support for the movement."
"We expected [these numbers]. It’s a movement — we engaged young people, and they will be driving change. I didn’t expect anything less," said Ranglin.
#2
EXCLUSIVE: Union Official Says RIDOT Allows Contractor to Illegally Dump Contaminates at 6/10 Site
It started in September when GoLocal unveiled the charges by a top union leader about contamination being dumped in an Olneyville neighborhood - next to homes and businesses.
Now, three months later both federal and state investigations are ongoing.
Read the first of more than 20 GoLocal reports:
One of Rhode Island’s top union officials is blowing the whistle -- and says he has proof that one of the construction firms working on two of Rhode Island’s largest infrastructure projects is improperly disposing of contaminated materials.
The construction firm at the center of the allegations is the Massachusetts-based Barletta Engineering/Heavy Division. which is one of the lead firms on the $410 million 6/10 Reconstruction project. The companies hired by RIDOT for the 6/10 project are called the "6/10 CONSTRUCTORS JOINT VENTURE." That joint venture has been paid in the past three-plus fiscal years $130,649,808, according to Rhode Island state records.
Of the total project cost, Barletta and its partners in the 6-10 Constructors Joint Venture's portion of the project is $247 million. The project was awarded to 6-10 Constructors Joint Venture after it was, the Barletta entities claim, the low bid by “more than 80 million dollars.”
Barletta is also the lead contractor on the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station and Bus Hub -- a separate $47 million project.
James White, President of Local 57 of the International Union of Operating Engineers says, “I first brought concerns to Barletta in July and they did nothing. Our folks are trained in identifying hazardous materials and we had concerns about the soil materials they were bringing on to the site.”
#1
Rhode Island Is Now the Most Infected Place in the World, According To New Data
The December 9 report by GoLocal unveiled the state's worst in the world - failed strategies doomed Rhode Island.
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States, has earned the distinction of having the highest number of new COVID-19 infections -- in the entire world.
Only four regions on Earth have more than 100/100,000 new infections per day: Rhode Island, Indiana, the Republic of Georgia, and Serbia.
Rhode Island has beaten them all, in the race to the bottom. Rhode Island is now experiencing more new COVID-19 cases than any other place -- on the entire planet.
As reported by Dr. Eric Topol, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the Scripps Research Institute:
For the third day, Rhode Island continues to have the highest number of new COVID-19 infections per capita at 122.6 new cases per 100,000 population per day (compared to 116.4 in the Republic of Georgia, and 104.4 in Serbia). This increased from 110 in just one day. Rhode Island is now averaging 1,299 new cases each day.
This is well above the rate of 100 new cases per 100,000 per week previously set by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo as a purportedly safe level.
Many experts, including former Rhode Island Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine, considered that benchmark too high, and thought a rate of no more than 14 new cases per 100,000 per week should be the maximum. At the current rate, Rhode Island is experiencing over 9,000 new cases per week, and growing.
