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Francis Parra, Chris Marsella, Jenna Cosgrove, and 20 Others

In case you missed it --

Here were GoLocal's 23 Who Made a Difference in Rhode Island in 2023. 

PHOTO: Jenna Cosgrove, RIC

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New Guys in Town - YUM

A new bakery will be opening soon on the Providence-Pawtucket line. 

The brainchild of Mike and Rob Fitzhenry, who recently relocated from Brooklyn, New York, “watUlike” is currently under construction at 194 Hillside Avenue, just off Blackstone Boulevard — and the duo describes it “a refined, rustic, and homemade bake shop featuring baked goods such as country cakes, babkas, scones, muffins, cookies, breads, cobblers, focaccias, homemade candy bars, and many other baked goods and confections.”

They will also be selling all their baking ingredients by the pound to bake at home. 

“Pantry items, Canadian-imported maple syrup, Icelandic chocolate, Italian salt, homemade greeting cards, and gift sets will also be sold in the retail section,” Rob Fitzhenry told GoLocal, of the building that already has the bright blue sign on display on grey cottage style building — along with a “walk-up” window.

“Coffee and tea will also be sold, including hot chocolate, fruit compotes, and other specialty hot and cold drinks," he added. 

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PHOTO: Unsplash/Tommaso Urli

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Architecture and Design - Best and Worst of 2023

The venerable Will Morgan -- GoLocal's architecture critic -- took a look at development and architecture projects and called "balls and strikes" in 2023. 

Morgan's condemnation of the void of vision by the 195 Commission smashed the nail flush with the wood with a single strike.

He wrote, "This haphazard rush to mediocrity is illustrated by the four divergent schemes considered for Parcel 1A. It is difficult to understand how any smart urban planner or architect could not see the folly of developing this sliver of land between South Water Street and the river."

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Rhode Island Is a Hot Spot

The annual report from one of America’s largest moving companies shows that Rhode Island is a hot spot.

Those relocating inbound to Rhode Island are nearly twice the number moving out, according to the annual report by United Van Lines.

Rhode Island is ranked 5th in the U.S. for net gain of inbound movers.

Topping the list for the third consecutive year for residents moving to a state was Vermont, with 65% of moves being inbound. People moving to the state cited "to be closer to family (29%) as the leading reason for relocating, followed by a lifestyle change (20%).

As far as those fleeing a state, for the sixth consecutive year, the study found more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state, as 65% of New Jersey moves were outbound. The top motivation for moving out of the state was driven primarily by those looking to retire (27%). 

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EXCLUSIVE: Soccer Stadium Financing is Riddled With Questions, Says Former Financial Advisor

GoLocal has secured a copy of the "confidential" letter sent to City of Pawtucket officials by its then-municipal advisor, which raised concerns about the financing scheme for the new minor league soccer stadium.

The five-page letter written by Hilltop Securities, a national advisory firm, warned city officials about the ever-increasing cost of the proposed stadium, Tidewater Landing, raised issues about the structure of the deal, and flagged there were not enough protections.

GoLocal previously unveiled that Hilltop subsequently resigned over the concerns.

Until now, Pawtucket officials have refused to release the letter and then delayed its release for more than 45 days. Ultimately, GoLocal secured the letter via an Access to Public Records Act (APRA) request. 

Pawtucket is in the process of issuing more than $46 million in bonds to finance the privately owned stadium. The state of Rhode Island has pledged $14 million in Rebuild monies, and the City of Pawtucket has pledged $10 million in ARPA monies. The total in public money is now $70 million.

The Hilltop letter raises numerous questions.

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Friar Heartbreak

Providence College athletics confirmed Thursday that Friar junior forward/guard Bryce Hopkins suffered a season-ending injury on his left knee (torn ACL).

"We all feel for Bryce and his family in this difficult time," Providence Head Coach Kim English said.  "We will be with him throughout this process to help him come back stronger than ever.  We ask that all of Friartown keeps Bryce and his family in your thoughts and prayers."

In 14 games this season, Hopkins averaged 15.5 ppg and 8.6 rpg.

Hopkins was a preseason first-team all-conference selection, and the team is presently ranked #23 in the country.  

The Friars will travel to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday, Jan. 6, to play the Creighton Bluejays in a Big East matchup.  The Friars are presently 11-3 (2-1).

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RI and Jeffrey Epstein

In 2019, GoLocal published an exclusive review of thousands of documents relating to convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, which found close links to Rhode Island’s Ira Magaziner.

Magaziner is the father of Rhode Island's then-General Treasurer and now-United States Congressman Seth Magaziner.

The senior Magaziner is a close friend and adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton and at the time of GoLocal’s report, headed the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Magaziner repeatedly flew on Epstein’s jets and his personal phone number and private email were in Epstein’s “black book.”

GoLocal tracked through flight logs that Magaziner traveled with Epstein and with convicted felon Ghislaine Maxwell.

In December 2021, Maxwell was found guilty and convicted by a jury in U.S. federal court on five sex trafficking-related counts carrying a potential custodial sentence of up to 65 years' imprisonment: one of sex trafficking of a minor (maximum: 40 years), one of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (10 years) and three of conspiracy to commit felonies (15 years total).

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Gun Found Following Fight at Basketball Game at Mt. Pleasant High School

Guns, guns, guns.

Providence police have several people in custody following an incident involving a gun at Mt. Pleasant High School on Thursday. 

According to police, a fight broke out in the stands during a basketball game at the school shortly after 6 PM. 

Following a report of a gun, multiple police officers were called in for backup.

Police say that a gun was located and taken into police possession.

Multiple people are in custody at this time. 

Latest at Providence High School 

In December, GoLocal reported, "While Governor Was Visiting, Student Arrested in Providence High School With Gun:"

"Governor Dan McKee visited Mount Pleasant High School to tour and meet with staff on Wednesday morning.

In another room in the high school, the school resource officer was disarming a student who was carrying a gun.

According to Providence Police Detectives Major David Lapatin, the student was arrested and transported to Central Station.

Police seized the gun, which Lapatin said contained no ammunition.

The student was also in possession of a knife, which was confiscated by police as well. 

This is just the latest crime at a Providence high school.