🌱 Leaf Blower Bullying + COVID Rises + 'Plantations' Still Here

Woonsocket RI

22 November, 2021

8:39 PM

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Good morning, people of Woonsocket! Kathleen here with a brand-new copy of the Woonsocket Daily. First, today's weather: Partly sunny; windy (not much though) and, cooler. High: 42 Low: 24. Here are the top stories today in Woonsocket: On Sunday, there was a rally at the WWII Memorial Park in Woonsocket to speak up against the November 15 City Council Meeting's vote to spend the first $14 million of funds on, among other low priority things, a synthetic ice rink, ornamental lights and a horseshoe-shaped dais for the council. Many news sources misquoted it to be ergonomic chairs instead of the grand dais (me included). Of note, Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt admonished those who spoke out against her budget. The two most resounding issues for Woonsocket are housing and health, neither of which have been addressed by the federal funds intended for that. Of interest on the Sunday of this rally, workers from the Woonsocket Highway Department were in the park with at least three trucks and multiple leaf blowers. The leaf blowers and the trucks were so loud that the rally moved from one area of the park to a stage to hold their rally, only to have the truck, and the leaf blowers, follow them. Is this just a coincidence? When the rally ended, the trucks left. Many asked why the Highway Department was collecting leaves, on a Sunday, at the precise time a rally against the Mayor and the City Council was happening. Sounds like a schoolyard bully to me. Woonsocket resident Alice Ellis said "It saddens – it enrages me – to see our mayor and municipal government waste federal money with utter disregard for the most vulnerable members of our community." (Uprise RI) More than one in six families in Rhode Island faces food insecurity, according to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. That's one of the reasons for the rally in Woonsocket Sunday. (WJAR)On Monday, the R.I. Health Department disclosed 1,106 new positive cases since data was last released on Friday, along with 7 additional COVID-19-related deaths. The rate used to track community transmission was up to 306 new cases per 100,000 people over the previous week. R.I. continues to see a significant increase in new cases. The rate hasn't been this high since February and has more than doubled since the start of November. Please be safe this Thanksgiving! (WPRI) Rhode Island dropped "Providence Plantations" from its name a year ago, but not from its buildings. Providence Plantations is written in the script in marble near the State House dome and on bronze plaques in the entryway. The State seal with the full former name is on the rotunda floor, the elevator doors, door numbers and directional signs. It's even on the rug in front of George Washington's portrait in the stateroom. Voters chose eliminate the words "and Providence Plantations" from Rhode Island's formal name a year ago by referendum. The timing was fueled by the Nation's reckoning with racial injustice after the murder of George Floyd. Supporters of the measure claim "plantations" was offensive and elicited imagery of slaves. (WPRI.com) Today's Woonsocket Daily is brought to you by L.L.Bean, a Patch Brand Partner. Planning a trip this holiday? Find your perfect luggage match. Today in Woonsocket: Dungeons and Dragons today after school for middle and high school students. (Valley Breeze)Don't forget about the ongoing toy drive. It could be your good deed for the day by dropping off a toy at the police station. It will make you feel great! Woonsocket Patch Notebook Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park: "Who writes history?" In Episode #44 of "Along the Blackstone," Ranger Chuck Arning interviews Nipmuc people living in the Blackstone River Valley. Census takers from 100 years ago called them a "vanished" people but they survived through maintaining an underground culture. (Facebook) Woonsocket High School Music Department: Thanksgiving game! All are invited to join the WHS Band and the cheerleaders on Thursday at Tucker Field in Cumberland to cheer on the Novan Football team for the annual football match. The game starts at 1 pm. (Facebook) Woonsocket Harris Public Library Thanksgiving Hours: Wednesday, November 24 close @ 5:00 pm. Closed on Thursday, November 25, Friday, November 26, and Saturday, November 27. The library will re-open at 9 am on Monday, November 29. (Facebook) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Add your business here Events: Celebrate Thanksgiving With 15 Percent Off Floral Centerpieces (November 26) Add your event Thanks for following along and staying informed with Kathleen Stoddart! I live in Woonsocket and have 3 grown kids and 3 rescue dogs to keep me busy. I love hardware stores and can be seen checking out all the cool stuff. Being a Realtor, I sort of have an excuse. Neighbors, please don't think we're crazy but my husband deep-fries our Thanksgiving turkey and he lowers it into the pot with his hockey stick! Any ideas or feedback, email me at [email protected] If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.