Here are the top Rhode Island news stories for Thursday, November 12th:
Schools Switch to Remote Learning
Schools across Rhode Island are switching to virtual learning this week because of coronavirus cases in the school communities. They include Coventry, Cumberland and West Warwick high schools and the entire Cranston district. A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Health told WPRI-TV the health director and governor will address the increase in cases at schools at today's coronavirus press briefing.
Coronavirus Reportedly Infects 12 Pawtucket Firefighters
(Pawtucket, RI) -- Another COVID spike is impacting the Pawtucket Fire Department. Officials say a dozen firefighters have tested positive. Three of them are set to return to work today. Several members of the fire department had tested positive in April.
New Video Of Providence Moped Crash Sent To Prosecutors
(Providence, RI) -- The lawyer for injured moped rider Jhamal Gonsalves says a new video has been sent to the state attorney general showing the police officer-involved crash that left Gonsalves in a coma. The lawyer says the video is not being made public at this time, but he told The Providence Journal he believes it's the best video out there that shows what happened on October 18th. Gonsalves' camp claims he was directly struck by the officer. The A.G.'s office says it is continuing to gather evidence in the case.
Investigation Into 2019 Fatal Hit-And-Run In Taunton Continues
(Taunton, MA) -- The Taunton, Massachusetts Police Department is still looking for the driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash from last year. On November 6th, 2019, 85-year-old Jose Ferreira was reportedly using a crosswalk on Middleboro Avenue when he was hit. Authorities are looking for a dark-colored pickup truck. Anyone with information is being asked to call Mass State Police or the Taunton department.
Major Gift For Veteran Scholarships At Brown
(Providence, RI) -- Brown University on Veterans Day announced a new twenty-million-dollar gift to enable full scholarships for U.S. military vets. The Ivy League school says the gift was from Joseph Healey, a U.S. Army veteran, son of a Brown alum and parent to a couple of Brown students, and co-founder of New York City investment management firm HealthCor. Brown says the gift marks a major step towards the goal of providing full financial support to current and future generations of student veterans.
Champ Soleil In Newport On The Market
(Newport, MA) -- A Newport mansion once owned by the mother of Sunny von Bulow, the subject of a well-known attempted murder case, is up for sale. Sunny's husband, Claus was convicted of attempting to kill her by insulin overdose while the family was at the Newport mansion 40 years ago, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. The asking price for the estate known as Champ Soleil is fifteen-million dollars.