EPA to cap sections of Woonasquatucket River
BOSTON – After examining soil samples of the Woonasquatucket River near Centredale in a summer-long study, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to seal off two sections of the river bottom considered heavily contaminated and continue study of a third section of the river before deciding whether to seal it as well. The EPA reported its studies showed heavy concentrations of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and dioxins in surface soils and those and other contaminants beneath the surface in the half-mile section of the river near Centredale Manor and Brook Village in North Providence. The EPA reported it was more concerned by the presence of high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that, unlike dioxins, do not adhere to soil but are released by contact with air or water.
PPAC to get $900,000 U.S. funds for renovation
WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $900,000 to renovate the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, the offices of Senators John H. Chafee and Jack Reed jointly announced. The PPAC opened in 1928 as a motion picture theater known as the Loew’s State and operated in that capacity into the 1960s until it was purchased by a civic private/public consortium which gradually transformed the building into a 3,200 seat multi-purpose theater. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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National Governors Assn. chooses RI for 2001
PROVIDENCE — The National Governors Association has decided to hold its 93rd annual meeting in 2001 in Providence and Newport, Gov. Lincoln Almond announced. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 4 through Tuesday, August 7, 2001. The nine-governor selection committee of the NGA chose Rhode Island over South Carolina, Minnesota and Guam. Governor Almond said the meetings would attract between 1,200 and 1,500 people. The governor added that among the guests at that time would be the then recently elected President of the United States who would address the gathering.
RI awarded $4.1 million by U.S. for Welfare to Work
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $4,109,483 to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training for the state’s Welfare-to-Work program. Among the beneficiaries of the award is the Family Independence Program in Rhode Island, which replaced what is informally referred to as welfare. The award will be enhanced by a $2,054,742 contribution by the state. The Providence/Cranston Private Industry Council will receive $3,859,284 from the Labor Department to help 400 welfare mothers in public housing complexes make the transition to full-time employment. Officials said the state’s welfare caseload had been reduced by 40 percent since 1993 and that the number of people on welfare had been cut by 48 percent.
Jobs up, but unemployment up too, slightly
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s July unemployment rate of 4.3 percent, an increase of .2 percent from the month before, was above the national average (4.2 percent) for the first time since January. The rate, however, was below 4.9 percent reported for the same period a year ago, according to the state Department of Labor and Training. Jobs in Rhode Island increased by 5,200 in the last year, the department said.
Jewelry workers evacuated from plant
WARWICK – Twenty-two workers were treated after being overcome by fumes from metal plates being cut by roofers working at Prime Time Manufacturing, 185 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick on September 20. Two people were hospitalized, one reported in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. About 200 workers were evacuated from the building. Warwick Fire Chief Thomas J. Rowan said the fumes were created by heated metal, the result of roofers cutting through metals plates on the roof. Chief Rowan said the dangerous fumes are usually associated with the welding process. The roofing was being done by Eagle Cornice Co., Inc. of Cranston. A spokesperson for Prime Time Manufacturing said the jewelry manufacturer, which was closed down about noon as a result of the fumes, would be open again the following day.
Astro-Med to purchase Telefactor Corp.
WEST WARWICK — Astro-Med, Inc. announced it has entered into a letter of intent to purchase substantially all of the assets of Telefactor Corporation of West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, for an undisclosed amount of cash. Albert W. Ondis, Astro-Med Chief Executive fficer, said Telefactor produces innovative electronic instruments and software products in the field of neurophysiology. Ondis said once the transaction is completed later this year, the company plans to merge Astro-Med’s Grass operation with Telefactor, to offer the life sciences industry a single source of advanced products and services required by the growing fields of electroencephalography (EEG), polysomnography (sleep disorders), long term epilepsy monitoring, ambulatory home care monitoring, and research.
Brown-MCI announce national IT program
PROVIDENCE — Brown University and telecommunications leader MCI WorldCom last week announced a new nationwide program that will use information technology to improve educational attainment. The program, Making a Civic Investment, will engage civic organizations, schools and universities in local projects designed to foster new models of technology-enhanced education. The five-year, $5-million program, funded by MCI WorldCom and administered by Brown, will link schools and community organizations around the country with a local college or university to implement technology learning projects for children in grades K-12. Between 25 and 30 multiyear grants of up to $40,000 will be awarded for projects each year.
