'Forever chemicals' in RI water; Camp Cronin; Scalloptown history: Top stories this week
Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of July 30, supported by your subscriptions.
A major breakthrough in law enforcement is in the air in Rhode Island, as the state police and some local departments invest in drone technology. Outfitted with cameras, thermal sensors, microphones and megaphones, UAVs are used in rescues, searches, firefighting, crowd control and standoffs, among other uses. Civil liberties advocates have raised privacy concerns.
An East Providence woman is wondering why the state Department of Environmental Management took more than a year to stop her neighbor from tampering with wetlands to extend his backyard, in violation of state law.
The days are getting shorter, and back-to-school ads are already on TV. Here are 13 ways to make the most of summer's waning weeks before the kids head back to class.
For the latest on Patriots training camp, Newport Gulls playoff action and high school and college sports news, go to providencejournal.com/sports.
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Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:
High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in 11 RI water systems.
The latest testing by major water suppliers in Rhode Island for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, led to “do not drink” orders for three systems.
Along with the three systems that tested above the Environmental Protection Agency's national 70 ppt advisory level for so-called "forever chemicals," eight other systems had results higher than the 20 ppt state standard. They have 180 days to come up with a remediation plan.
The chemicals, used in food packaging, cookware, clothing and firefighting foam, have been linked to cancers, low birth weights and hormonal problems.
Environment: High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in 11 RI water systems.
10-year-old girl and a father of two drowned at Conimicut Park. Now, their families are suing
The families of the 10-year-old girl and the 35-year-old father of two who drowned on Father’s Day 2021 after being swept up in a fast-moving tide at Conimicut Point Park are suing the City of Warwick, accusing its leaders of willful negligence for failing to adequately warn park visitors of treacherous tide changes despite a history of drownings.
Marlin Segura Jimenez sued the city in state Superior Court on behalf of herself and her two children over the death of her husband, Valentin Cardona Sanchez, on June 20, 2021. Sanchez died as he tried to save 10-year-old Yoskarly Martinez, who also drowned after being caught up in the surging waters.
Courts: 10-year-old girl and a father of two drowned at Conimicut Park. Now, their families are suing
Providence spent big to repair Camp Cronin. Now the place could be lost over unpaid taxes.
The City of Providence is at risk of losing Camp Cronin, its seaside camp in Narragansett, over unpaid property taxes.
The city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate the long-neglected property last year, but failed to pay $16,721 in back taxes. Consequently, the property went up for a tax sale in October. The lien was purchased for $17,006 by Airway Leasing LLC, an investment company that frequently takes advantage of tax sales to acquire real estate at rock-bottom prices.
If the city doesn't pay off the lien, plus interest and fees, within a year of the tax sale, Airway Leasing can acquire the 2-acre summer camp, valued at nearly $1.1 million, for less than the price of a new Honda Civic.
Local news: Providence spent big to repair Camp Cronin. Now the place could be lost
It was called a blight on Rhode Island and then torched. Here's the story of Scalloptown.
A What and Why RI reader wrote in to ask, “What is the origin of the village called Scalloptown, in East Greenwich?”
The waterfront area, populated by an integrated community of immigrants and descendants of free slaves, was “legendary for its Bay scallops and other fisheries,” according to one history book, and in 1877 the town was the leading producer of scallops in Rhode Island.
But its shanties and reputation for lawlessness led to calls to "purge and scavenge this notorious corner," described by some as "The Barbary Coast of Rhode Island." After a failed effort to "save" the community, Scalloptown met an unfortunate end.
What and Why RI: It was called a blight on Rhode Island and then torched. Here's the story of Scalloptown.
Time limits at restaurants? Is new trend in dining scene reasonable or inhospitable?
Time restrictions at restaurants? Yes, they are a thing, according to The Journal's food editor, Gail Ciampa, who encountered them on a recent trip to London, as well at some spots in Rhode Island. Before diners even sit down, they're told how long they'll have at their table before they have to yield to the next party.
What began during the pandemic as a way to manage restrictions on the number of diners in a room has stuck around at busy restaurants and those with small dining rooms, where turning over tables more quickly makes financial sense. But is it hospitable? Gail looks at the issue from both sides and speculates on whether this new trend will make significant inroads in Rhode Island.
Dining: Time limits at restaurants? Is new trend in dining scene reasonable or inhospitable?
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: PFAS in RI water systems; Scalloptown
