Can larger commercial base offset Woonsocket's new debt?
'In terms of having a bright future here, we need the hospital.' - Matthew Wojcik, director of Economic Development
by MARCIA GREEN, Valley Breeze Editor

WOONSOCKET - If his goal of boosting Woonsocket's commercial tax base by $73 million in five years seems unrealistic, consider the alternative: higher taxes on residents.

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DOT: Local lawmakers will first review revamped schemes for Chepachet intersection
'We're open to suggestions. It's clear the town isn't happy with what's out there.' - DOT engineer Robert Smith
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by JO C. GOODE, Valley Breeze Correspondent

GLOCESTER - Town leaders didn't pull any punches last Thursday during a Town Council meeting, making it clear their displeasure with the Department of Transportation traffic safety "experiment" at the

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Almond: 'Progress' in police contract negotiations
by MEGHAN KAVANAUGH, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

LINCOLN - Negotiations regarding Lincoln police contracts have been occurring "at least weekly," Town Administrator T.

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The next wave of kindergartners is armed with iPads and they know how to use them
Smithfield educators, parents, plan town's education future
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by GERRY GOLDSTEIN, Valley Breeze & Observer Correspondent

SMITHFIELD - Not so long ago, students in classrooms here gossiped and flirted by passing handwritten notes from desk to desk.

Now, they text.

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Hebert Nursing Home patients in 'immediate jeopardy'
Medicare, Medicaid status at risk; facility being charged $5,500 a day
by GERRY GOLDSTEIN, Valley Breeze & Observer Correspondent

SMITHFIELD - Saying they have found violations that constituted "immediate jeopardy" to patients at the Hebert Nursing Home on Log Road, federal and state health officials have given the 133-bed faci

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'Re-energized' St. Raphael Academy is making its comeback
Applications up; more students see school as their first choice
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by ETHAN SHOREY, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

PAWTUCKET - There are times in an institution's history when a fresh perspective can make all the difference.

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At 'Ghost Bike' crossing, pedestrians will be able to stop traffic 4 ways
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by JO C. GOODE, Valley Breeze Correspondent

NORTH SMITHFIELD - The Department of Transportation is finalizing design plans for pedestrian-focused traffic signals at the intersection at North Main Street and Victory Highway, the site where a 13-

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Changes envisioned for Diamond Hill Park
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by MARCIA GREEN, Valley Breeze Editor

CUMBERLAND - Town leaders are talking about changes to Diamond Hill Park that would reconfigure the stage to bring performers and audience closer, and add some recreation options, including a water sl

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VIDEO - In North Smithfield, it's ice cream done Wright
by MEGHAN KAVANAUGH, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

NORTH SMITHFIELD - It's a business model that will come as no surprise to the loyal customers of Wright's Dairy Farm: If they do something, they do it well.

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Local photographer has a 'Kodak moment'
by MEGHAN KAVANAUGH, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

CUMBERLAND - Photography has always been an interest for Christina Richardson, who was introduced to the black and white film world through a graphic arts program in high school.

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Glocester Town Hall leads the way with energy efficient geothermal system
Officials expect big savings for taxpayers as a result
by JO C. GOODE, Valley Breeze Correspondent

GLOCESTER - As oil prices skyrocket, a new geothermal heating and cooling system went online last week at Town Hall on Putnam Pike that officials claim could save taxpayers some serious dollars in the

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Cumberland man launches JoblessWarrior.org
The website needs volunteer professionals to help unemployed veterans
by MARCIA GREEN, Valley Breeze Editor

CUMBERLAND - J.R. Rodrigues of northern Cumberland is not a veteran, he's not a career counselor and he isn't retired with lots of time of his hands.

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Arts students unhappy with sharing Jenks Auditorium
Principal, Community Players say arrangement working great
by ETHAN SHOREY, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

PAWTUCKET - A conflict has arisen between Rhode Island's oldest community theater and one of the state's newest arts schools.

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Bar owner says neighbors make it hard to run business
"I can't compete with someone ... waiting to hear a pin drop."
by JOSEPH R. LaPLANTE, Valley Breeze & Observer Managing Editor

NORTH PROVIDENCE - Andrew Sirignano bought Bailey's Pub two years ago to fulfill a longtime aspiration that is shared, he contends, by just about everybody who has worked in hotel and events managemen

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TOM WARD - Super PAC ads preview the toxic elections ahead
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I wonder: By the time we elect, or re-elect a president on Nov.

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AT THE MOVIES - 'The Artist' successfully mingles a tribute to the 1930s with the silent film genre
by Aimee O'Connor

**** "The Artist"

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Tension festers in Gamm's 'Festen'
Theater's latest powerful performance runs through Feb. 12
by FRANK O'DONNELL, Valley Breeze Entertainment Writer

In "Festen," the newest offering at Pawtucket's Gamm Theatre, a family gathers at the family estate to mark the patriarch's 60th birthday. Three of his four children are present.

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Olympian Sara DeCosta visits McGuire
VIDEO - Olympian Visits McGuire Elementary School
Olympian Sara DeCosta visits North Providence students to discuss importance of reading
by Elise Manahan, Valley Breeze Staff Photographer

NORTH PROVIDENCE - Olympic women's ice hockey gold and silver medalist Sara DeCosta of Warwick visited James L. McGuire Elementary School in North Providence Friday, Jan.

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Artist comes out of retirement at 94, still draws attention
by ARLINE A. FLEMING, Valley Breeze & Observer Correspondent

NORTH PROVIDENCE - Even at age 94, her makeup is perfect, as are her surroundings.

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Pumpkin, apple, coconut custard - Granges celebrate National Pie Day
by ARLINE A. FLEMING, Valley Breeze Correspondent

GLOCESTER - Long before there was a Food Network to demonstrate the fine points of baking a pie, and long before there was an Internet to announce National Pie Day to warm up winter, pie-making was a

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