Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for Jan. 17
Rise & Shine! I’m Scott Barrett, digital editor for The Daily News, and today is Jan. 17, the 17th day of the year — 348 days remain in 2022. On this day in 1950, a group of 11 men, under the direction of mastermind Anthony ‘Fats’ Pino, made off with roughly $2.7 million from the Brink's Armored Car depot in Boston. They weren’t caught until six years later, days before the statute of limitations for the heist expired.
Here & Now
• Today is Martin Luther King. Jr Day, and there are several events planned locally to mark the occasion. Organized by the local chapter of the NAACP, the program kicks off with the annual Torch Run that begins at Patriots Park in Portsmouth at 9 a.m.
The MLK Day program will begin at noon with Rev. Dr. Paul Hoffman, pastor of the Evangelical Friends Church, officiating. Other speakers include Rev. Glen Leverette, pastor of the Community Baptist Church, and musical selections from Mr. Kenneth Johnson. This event is free, but registration is required at redwoodlibrary.org/events.
An afternoon program featuring the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with actor and poet David Mills will be presented starting at 3 p.m., at the Redwood Library & Athenaeum. This also is a a free event, but registration is required at redwoodlibrary.org/events.
For more information about these MLK events, contact Victoria Johnson at 401-559-3968. Other celebrations, organized by Salve Regina University and the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, can be found here.
• Today is a holiday, which means local government buildings are closed. In Newport and Middletown, trash collection will be delayed a day, and the transfer station in Portsmouth is closed. The RIPTA bus service will operate on a holiday schedule.
• A dedicated runner, Kara Niewohner of Newport was forced to scale back the miles when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last spring. The 44-year-old underwent a double mastectomy in October and has resumed full training in preparation for the Boston Marathon in April. Read this great story from reporter Laura Damon right now on NewportRI.com.
• Jeff Brady is pulling double duty this season for Portsmouth High School as the senior is a member of the boys basketball and track teams. While he loves participating in sports, academics is his top priority. Reporter Steve Rogers has the story right now on NewportRI.com.
• The state Department of Transportation has provided its roadwork schedule for the coming week in Newport County. Find it here.
• Well, it wasn't a very good night for the New England Patriots on Saturday as they got walloped 47-17 by the Buffalo Bills. Thanks to all who emailed (had a ton of predictions), but Chris Vorro was closest with his guess of a 42-14 Bills victory.
• The Marina Cafe & Pub on Goat Island announced on Instagram over the weekend its closing its doors after 13 years because "proposal to extend our lease has been rejected by the landlord." Of course, we'll try to find out more. Stay tuned.
• After postponing classes a week because of rising COVID cases, Salve Regina University begins the spring semester today.
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Born today
Jake Paul (social media personality), 25
Zoey Deschanel (actress), 42
Jim Carrey (actor), 60
Steve Harvey (TV host), 65
James Earl Jones (actor), 91
Weather report
Low tides: 12:13 a.m., 1:25 p.m.
High tides: 7:18 a.m., 7:37 p.m.
Sunrise: 7:06 a.m. Sunset: 4:44 p.m.
Water temperature: 44.2 degrees.
Municipal meetings
Tiverton
School Committee, 5 p.m.
Local obituaries
None new today
Today is …
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
National Bootleggers Day
Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day
Where in Newport County?
Easton's Beach. This statue, titled "Each Other," was created by local resident Kay Worden "for the enjoyment of the people of Rhode Island by Child and Family Services of Newport County," a plaque reads at the base of the structure.
Kudos to Melissa Danks, Donna McHenry, Robb Canning, Mary Hanos, Joan Davis, Beth Milham, Nancy and Bob Grasing and a reader named Chuck, all of whom got it correct.
Got a news tip, story idea or just want to drop me a line? Don't be a stranger. Send an email to sbarrett@newportri.com.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for Jan. 17
