HOT

3 Nights of Lights

Providence’s Three Nights of Lights was a roaring success.

Tens of thousands enjoyed downtown Providence.

Great idea, great execution, and hopefully, a great new tradition.

PHOTO: PWCVB

HOT

Rhode Island International Airport Is Red Hot

In recent months, it has announced that it will be a key part of Breeze Airway’s expansion and a “base” located in Rhode Island is adding 250 jobs.

Then, the airport captured a top-ten global ranking. Condé Nast Traveller has named Rhode Island International Airport (PVD) as a Top Ten Airport in the World.

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. More than 520,000 Condé Nast Traveller readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.

With this award, Rhode Island International has received 12 major awards from top national and international media awards since 2017.

“Our airports are a vital economic driver for the state, supporting over 19,000 jobs and an economic impact of over $2.6 billion a year,” said RIAC Board Chair Jonathan Savage. 

According to airport officials, there are now twice as many direct flights as there were in 2016.

See all the direct flights HERE. 

HOT

Part-Time Rhode Islander -- Full-Time Person of the Year

Super talent.

Mega-star.

Billionaire.

Part-time Watch Hill resident.

TIME Person of the Year.

HOT

West Elmwood & Mt. Hope Cheer Teams Place First at Nationals

Way to go, girls.

Two Providence cheer squads won national titles this week in Florida. 

The West Elmwood Intruders “Pee-Wee Small” and Mt. Hope “JV Small” teams both took first-place honors at the Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Nationals. 

GoLocal spoke with West Elmwood coach Terica Winters — who has seven national championships under her belt.

This year, however, was her first time coaching girls 12 and under. 

“It takes a lot of dedication. There’s a lot of overtime,” said Winters, of the team that begins practicing each year on August 1. 

PHOTO: The winning West Elmwood Intruders squad. PHOTO: Winters

HOT

Nikki Haley

The Republican presidential candidate is on a roll.

She is attracting some major donors and PACs.

All of the "boys" are attacking her.

Can she jump into a clear #2 position before Iowa?

PHOTO: News Nation Screen Grab

HOT

Del's in the Winter and Chocolately -- Christmas Came Early

The winter months are now ahead of us in Rhode Island — but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo a frozen drink (or two).

Del’s Lemonade is now featuring frozen hot chocolate.

“We created a brand new holiday flavor mix and is now available at our gift shop on [1260] Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston,” announced the business on Thursday. 

“Stop by during our regular business hours this week and next week to try a free sample!” they add.

Gift shop hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. 

Upcoming Sale

Del’s also announced this week more “Black Friday” deals. 

They posted: 

"This upcoming Friday, 12/8 is another Del's December Deals Friday!

Enjoy 15% off your orders every Friday this month before our 'last call' for guaranteed holiday delivery on December 15th.

Use code: “'riday23' when you shop online or visit our Shop at our HQ in Cranston, RI to save on gifts your friends and family will love!"

PHOTO: American Heritage Chocolate/ Unsplash

NOT

No Protection for Rhode Islanders

The State of Rhode Island has committed tens of millions of dollars and the City of Pawtucket is poised to issue $48,450,000 in bonds to support the construction of the minor league soccer stadium in Pawtucket, but if the proposed Rhode Island FC team folds, the state and Pawtucket could be left with an empty stadium.

The state and city would continue to be obligated to make bond payments for decades.

This fall, American soccer icon Landon Donovan’s team folded.

The San Diego Loyal, coached by Donovan, ceased operations after its fourth season in the United Soccer League (USL) — the same league in which the Pawtucket team is scheduled to play.

Brett Johnson, the owner of the minor league soccer team and the lead developer of the Pawtucket stadium, gave up the ownership of another USL franchise — that team then dropped out of the league and became an amateur team — which now plays in a community recreation area.

Johnson had promised to make that team into an economic powerhouse just like he has with Pawtucket - Listen to Interview Below.

McKee Administration

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee's administration could not provide any proof that there is any financial guarantee that owners of the team or the stadium have provided any guarantee.

First, RI Commerce Corporation’s spokesperson told GoLocal, "The provisions are laid out in the agreement presented to the Board on 07/25/22. It’s online for you to view and read through, but I attached them to this email for you.”

But that 86-page document provides for the authorization of the state’s funding. It does not bind Johnson to provide any personal guarantee, place any money in escrow, or provide any other financial protection for the team.

The funding approved by Commerce holds protections that the stadium must be completed before the state releases dollars -- including millions of dollars in "Rebuild RI" monies, but there are no protections if the team folds.

Then, when GoLocal pressed Touchette, he issued a statement on behalf of the state and the city of Pawtucket stating:

The incentive agreement entered into by RI Commerce Corporation includes provisions aimed at keeping Rhode Island FC in the state for the long-term. The project Sponsors under that agreement committed to having a USL Championship Division team utilize the stadium as its primary playing venue each year for a period of thirty (30) years. Additionally, it is our understanding that the franchise agreement between the team owner and the USL mandates that the team owner may not relocate to a new or substitute home stadium while the Series 2023A Bonds or any bonds issued to refinance the Series 2023A Bonds are outstanding.

While the agreement between the USL and Johnson may, as presently drafted, restrict Johnson from moving the team, nothing protects that state or Pawtucket if the team folds like the San Diego team.

A review of the final 334-page bond documents outlines protections for the stadium, but no protections if the team ceases operation.

Of course, Pawtucket already has one vacant stadium. McCoy Stadium is poised for demolition after the Pawtucket Red Sox owners struck a deal with Worcester and, moved the team north. Now, that ownership group is set to sell the franchise to a minor league baseball corporation owned by the private equity firm.

NOT

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) to send undocumented immigrants entering the United States to Rhode Island -- and a handful of other states.

Graham made the comments on CNN on Sunday.

"Here’s the problem. You’ve got 11 Democratic Senators signing a letter resisting changing the laws that attract so many illegal immigrants," said Graham. "What I’m telling Governor Abbott is why don’t you send thousands of these illegal immigrants to the states where the Senators wrote these letters."

The letter Graham cited was signed by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Graham in his CNN interview mentioned Rhode Island first -- and repeatedly.

He then added Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Oregon.

“Let them understand what it’s like to live with a broken border," he said. "The towns in Texas along the border are virtually being destroyed."

Graham said that he would be traveling to Texas to see "the damage" firsthand.

"It’s about making it real to people who refuse to fix the problem," he said.

NOT

Smiley Administration

Multiple murders and about ten shootings have taken place at the Chad Brown housing facility or nearby.

Another took place this week. 

Chad Brown is managed by the Providence Housing Authority.

The residents and neighbors are not safe.

It is time to step up and end the chaos.

NOT

Assault a Police Officer and Get 25 Hours of Community Service

The bride at the Newport wedding that turned into a melee has pleaded nolo contendere/guilty to multiple charges including simple assault -- she hit a Newport police officer. 

The chaotic night included one member of the wedding party, Robert Nash, repeatedly punching a Newport Police officer in the face and a Barrington woman, Rachael Onik, trying to take two police officers' guns.

Another member of the wedding night fight also pleaded out.

The bride, Kylie Swain, 28, whose wedding day ended with a brawl between members of her wedding party and Newport Police on September 10, along with Olivia Costello, reached plea agreements approved by the court on Tuesday.

As part of the plea agreement with Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office, neither will face jail time nor were they placed on probation.

Swain of South Weymouth, MA, at the time of the incident, pled guilty to three charges:

Two charges of simple assault and/or battery

One count of disorderly conduct.

According to the plea, Swain will conduct 25 hours of community service, will pay court costs and will make a voluntary contribution of $400.

The other member of the melee, Costello, also pled nolo contendere/guilty:

1. Simple Assault and/or Battery

2. Resisting Legal or Illegal Arrest

3. Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty

4. Disorderly Conduct
 

Costello also must conduct 25 hours of community service, her case is filed for a year and she must pay $400.

Charges against the other members of the wedding party involved in the melee are still pending. No court dates are presently scheduled for any of the individuals who face felony charges.