Top stories this week: Oil tanker mystery; $700,000 houses; tick forecast

Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of March 26, supported by your subscriptions.

• Will body cameras enhance accountability and transparency for school resource officers in Rhode Island, or violate students' privacy and create an unhealthy "culture of police surveillance"? The Journal's Mark Reynolds talks with people on both side of the debate, which promises to intensify as districts across the state add more cameras financed by a federal grant.

• Teamsters Local 251 is accusing a former business agent of demanding $500,000 to take down a website disparaging union leadership. Nick Williams says he was wrongfully fired and has a First Amendment right to operate a site with an almost identical name to the one operated by Local 251 as he seeks a severance deal. Katie Mulvaney explains the acrimonious dispute that has raised allegations of extortion and sexual harassment.

• The hopes of Red Sox Nation spring eternal on Opening Day, but hope took a hit in Boston's sloppy 10-9 loss to the Orioles in chilly Fenway Park. While the offense battled, quality pitching was in short supply. Boston looked like same old Red Sox — and that's not good, says sportswriter Bill Koch. For that and more sports news, go to providencejournal.com/sports.

• Planning to dine at a restaurant for Easter? Reservations are going fast, says food editor Gail Ciampa, so check out her Easter dining guide and book your seat at the table.

• Test how well you kept up with the week's events by taking our news quiz. Challenge your friends!

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

Remember that ship in Narragansett Bay with a 'Z' on its smokestack? It was a crime scene.

If you thought there was something fishy a year ago about a tanker ship anchored in Narragansett Bay with a "Z" on its smokestack and wondered if it was related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, you were half right.

In the early days of the Russian occupation, supporters of the war painted large Z's on vehicles and buildings, leading to speculation that the petroleum tanker — the Galissas — was somehow backing the invasion. But the big Z had nothing to do with Russia — it's the initial of the company that owns the ship.

The Galissas lingered in the Bay for weeks because it was a crime scene. And now the U.S. Attorney's office has reached plea deals with the ship's owner, captain and chief engineer that call for $2.25 million in fines.

Law enforcement: Remember that ship in Narragansett Bay with a 'Z' on its smokestack? It was a crime scene.

How much house does $700,000 buy in RI's housing market? Here's what we found.

The median cost of a house in Rhode Island has soared 40% since the start of the pandemic, while interest rates have risen to the highest levels in 15 years. Fewer people are putting their houses up for sale while little new construction comes onto the market. All of those factors are tempering demand.

The Providence Journal has been exploring what properties are for sale in Rhode Island at different price points. In January, we wrote about what $400,000, the new median selling prices, buys. In February, we went downmarket to look at what the median house price before the pandemic, $250,000, fetches now. This time, we look at what $700,000 will get you.

Real estate: How much house does $700,000 buy in Rhode Island's housing market? Here's what we found.

Vietnam Veterans Day offers chance to say 'welcome home' — and clear up misconceptions

March 29 was designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day, created in 2017 to "give Americans the opportunity to say 'Welcome Home' to a group of veterans who never got the reception they deserved when they returned to the United States."

Veterans Voice columnist Frank Lennon talks with combat veterans about their painful homecomings and the social abyss between them and antiwar protesters. And he debunks common myths about Vietnam vets that persist today.

Veterans Voice: Vietnam Veterans Day offers chance to say 'welcome home' — and clear up misconceptions

This winter was warm. Does that mean there will be more ticks in RI this year?

Will the warmer-than-normal winter result in a bumper crop of blacklegged ticks this year? University of Rhode Island Professor of Entomology Dr. Thomas Mather explains how the weather affects the tick population and gives his forecast for what to expect this year.

His best advice, shared in his blog?: “It’s never too late (or early) to be ready for ticks.”

Environment: This winter was warm. Does that mean there will be more ticks in RI this year?

Slam dunk for new PC coach dining at Cassarino's on Federal Hill

New Providence College basketball coach Kim English had his first taste of the town last Friday night, and he liked it.

At 8:37 p.m., he took to social media and tweeted "FRIARTOWN … Checking in. Dinner at Cassarino’s = Two thumbs up. Good recommendation by @BryceHopkins."

The restaurant at 177 Atwells Ave. on Federal Hill is no stranger to Friartown. Cassarino's owners Christine and Steven Anderson have season tickets. Christine called English's sharing on Twitter "Super exciting!"

Dining: Slam dunk for new PC coach dining at Cassarino's on Federal Hill

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Oil tanker mystery; $700,000 houses