This Just In: Dining on Federal Hill; murder on the high seas
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today is May 13; one year ago today, nine people were wounded in a shooting in Providence's Washington Park neighborhood. No shooting in the city's history injured as many people, Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. said at the time.
Also one year ago today, I got my second coronavirus vaccine shot. Sadly, I didn't think back then that I'd still be writing daily COVID updates today, but here we are. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported four virus-related deaths and 887 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 6,814 negative tests, for an 11.5% positive rate. There were 88 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 82 reported yesterday, with seven in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 768 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 26% from a week ago and up 59% from two weeks ago. For the week, the positivity rate was 9.9%, up from 9.3% last week and 8.1% the week before.
After what seemed like weeks on end of cool, windy weather, it's a summerlike day in Rhode Island and it'll stay that way all weekend, so it's perfect timing for "Al Fresco on the Hill" to start up for the third year. This year there are some new things to know – different restaurants participating, a new traffic pattern and additional parking. Amy Russo has the rundown.
If your thoughts are starting to turn to the beach, we've compiled this guide to the best ones in the Ocean State.
Federal authorities have charged Nathan Carman with "murder on the high seas" in the death of his mother somewhere off the coast of Rhode Island back in 2016. It is a crime that conjures up thoughts of pirates. Practically speaking, the charge was defined to prosecute killings done outside the jurisdiction of any U.S. state. Legal experts say the charge carries additional risks for the defendant, and additional challenges for the prosecution.
Last month we brought you the story of Alex Tobiassen, a Rhode Island native with a troubled background who found himself in Ukraine, fighting the Russians in the early days of Vladimir Putin's invasion. At the time that story ran, Tobiassen was in Romania, contemplating his next move. He's made the move: He's back to fighting in Ukraine, and says he won't leave until the country achieves victory.
Mary Donnelly gave more than half a century of her energy and talents to provide health care on Block Island, and her simple life, resourcefulness and devotion to the poor drew national media attention. Tributes have been pouring in since Donnelly died this week at age 94.
Best-selling author Ann Hood has a new memoir in which she looks back on her days as a TWA flight attendant.
You should make a point of spending time outside this weekend, and if you choose to go for a walk, you might want to check out this former site of a Girl Scout camp in Westerly.
And finally, a big weekend in local sports gets going tonight, when the Celtics try to keep their season alive in Milwaukee at 7:30. Then it's the Bruins in Game 7 of their playoff series tomorrow at 4:30. And don't forget Brown's NCAA lacrosse tournament game tomorrow night against Virginia, a little closer to home.
Have a great weekend. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please encourage a friend to sign up.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: This Just In: Dining on Federal Hill; murder on the high seas
