Local News: Top RI Stories - Monday, January 4th

Charges Filed In Connection To Alleged Police Officer Assault Incident

(Cranston, RI) -- A police officer has been released from Rhode Island Hospital after an assault incident reported in Cranston Friday night. The officer's attention had been drawn by a large group of dirt bike and ATV drivers who were allegedly driving recklessly on Atwood Avenue. Eduardo Rivera of Warwick is accused of running over the legs of the policeman as he was arresting a motorcycle rider that was blocking traffic, Shyanne Boisvert of North Providence, according to Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist. After the incident, police chased Rivera to Johnston; his ATV reportedly collided with a police cruiser on Route 14. Winquist says Rivera then got onto another ATV ridden by Kemoni Mitchell of Providence, the two made it to Union Avenue in Providence, struck a car, and were captured by police.

Second COVID Shot Administered In Ocean State For First Time

(Providence, RI) -- More COVID-19 vaccine history is made in Rhode Island. Lifespan emergency physician Dr. Christian Arbelaez, who received the first-ever COVID-19 shot in the state, is also the first one to get the secondary shot that is part of the vaccine. A number of other Lifespan workers also got the second shot this weekend.

Foster Police Department Reports Dispatcher Death After COVID Battle

(Foster, RI) -- A sad coronavirus update from the town of Foster. The police department there says dispatcher Patrick Dragon died after a battle with the disease caused by the virus. Dragon was a retired Connecticut State Police trooper and a former deputy fire chief in the Connecticut town of Brooklyn.

Fatal Jeep Rollover On Trail In Northwest RI

(Burrillville, RI) -- One person is dead after a Jeep accident in Burrillville. Authorities say Anthony Pollini of Rockland, Massachusetts rolled over on an off-road trail overnight Sunday. Pollini's passenger reportedly suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. This happened near the Munyon Trail in the state-owned George Washington Management Area. The crash is under investigation.

Patriots Win Final Game Of Season Over NY Jets

(Foxboro, MA) -- The New England Patriots won their final game of the season on Sunday over the New York Jets. The score from Gillette Stadium, which didn't host any fans this season, was 28-to-14, giving the Pats a final record of 7-and-9. New England finished below 500 and will not be in the playoffs, both rarities in the era of head coach Bill Belichick. First-year Patriots quarterback Cam Newton threw for three touchdowns and caught one in yesterday's win. Belichick refuted a report from ESPN after the game that the team was moving on from Newton as QB.

Hear the latest news all day today at the top and bottom of the hour. (Graphic: Getty Images)


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