District Court turmoil; Warwick land dispute; world-class RI pizza: Top stories this week

Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of July 9, supported by your subscriptions.

• The Chace family's legal feud over a $70 million trust has spawned another lawsuit – the second in two years. At issue this time for one faction of the prominent Rhode Island family: deathbed changes to the will of Malcolm “Kim” Chace III that doubled his wife's annual allowance.

• The Rhode Island sports world lost a giant on Thursday with the death of longtime Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds. Mark Patinkin assesses his legacy, as a basketball player, a journalist and a mentor to countless young athletes, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. For what it's worth, here's my personal favorite: his 2017 Mother's Day tribute to his one-of-a-kind mom.

• Want to take a dip to cool off? If you're not up for the full beach experience, or worried about tangling with a Portuguese man-of-war, check out these freshwater swimming spots.

• Catch up on which players with Rhode Island ties were tapped in this year's MLB Draft, as well as other high school and college sports news, at providencejournal.com/sports.

• Did you keep up with the week's events? Take our news quiz.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

'Dark cloud' over District Court: Ex-clerk alleges coverups, dysfunction and retaliation

For more than two decades, Nicholas R. Cote worked as a “fixer” in District Court, helping to smooth out staffing issues and resolve data entry backlogs.

That is, until he resigned Nov. 28 for reasons that "will remain an internal personnel matter," a courts spokeswoman said.

Now, Cote tells of blurred lines between his work and personal life, undertaking construction projects for District Court Chief Judge Jeanne E. LaFazia at her Little Compton property, often for little or no pay or reimbursement for supplies. He also tells of racist, sexist and homophobic commentary by a former top District Court administrator being, in essence, swept under the rug until he, too, resigned for reasons that "will remain an internal personnel matter."

Courts: 'Dark cloud' over District Court: Ex-clerk alleges coverups, dysfunction and retaliation

How did a Warwick councilwoman acquire land next to her house? The neighbors have questions

WARWICK — In the heart of bustling Oakland Beach, a vacant lot sits next to the home of longtime Warwick City Councilwoman Donna Travis and her husband, William Travis. For years, it's resembled an extension of their backyard.

Until fairly recently, the parcel belonged to the Oakland Beach Real Estate Owners Association, a neighborhood organization in which both Travises have held leadership roles. In 2021, a quitclaim deed was filed with the city, stating that the association was giving the land — with an assessed value of $65,700 — to the Travises.

Now, the neighborhood association's new leaders are calling that transfer into question, saying the process wasn't aboveboard. The Travises insist everything was done legally, call their critics out-of-state troublemakers, and say they have no intention of giving the land back.

Political Scene: How did a Warwick councilwoman acquire land next to her house? Neighbors have questions

RI's new beach access law creates controversy, confusion and lawsuits

After a multiyear fight to enact a shoreline access law, the last few weeks have given Rhode Islanders a taste of what it actually looks like in practice.

For beach-access advocates — and police departments that had struggled to adjudicate disputes — the law offers some much-needed clarity on what is and isn't public. But waterfront property owners who are suing to overturn it say it's turned private backyards into public beaches, lowering their home values.

Meanwhile, plenty of people don't realize that the law has changed at all. And activist Scott Keeley is determined to change that.

Politics: RI's new beach access law creates controversy, confusion and lawsuits

Want to try one of the best pizzerias in the world? Head to Wakefield

A Rhode Island pizzeria has made the prestigious ranking of the 50 Best in the United States. Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana in Wakefield was No. 12 on the list that was released last week by 50 Top Pizza USA. Last year, owner Pasquale Illiano was No. 33, and he rose substantially higher on the rankings this year.

By virtue of being in the top 15, his restaurant will now be added to 50 Top Pizza’s ranking of the 100 best pizzerias in the world. Illiano will be in Naples, Italy — the city of his birth — on Sept. 13 for the unveiling of that international list.

Dining: Want to try one of the best pizzerias in the world? Head to Wakefield

Rhode Islanders are in the minority that say grinder. Here's the story behind the sandwich

What do you call a long sandwich that contains cold cuts, lettuce and other toppings?

You might know it as a sub, a hoagie or maybe a hero, depending on where you grew up. But, as Rhode Islanders and many New Englanders know, there’s another word: grinder. (Or, as it's more commonly pronounced, "grindah.") Having received many questions about where the term grinder is used and the origin of the term, What and Why RI thought it was time to get some answers.

What and Why RI: Rhode Islanders are in the minority that say grinder. Here's the story behind the sandwich

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Court turmoil; Pasquale's Pizzeria