Members of the Cranston Police Department and their families and friends gathered under a calm blue sky on a sunny Saturday to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by past members of the force.

It was the 21st annual Cranston Police Memorial Service and this year, three new names were etched into the granite slabs of the memorial stone at police headquarters, representing three lives that slipped from the binds of earth, but will never fade from the memories of those who call Cranston home and who made police work their calling.

One of those people, Janice Charest, did not wear the blue uniform of the Cranston Police Department, but she made contributions as a civilian member of the agency that will forever be remembered as symbols of strength, courage, humility and dignity.

A clerk, Charest was responsible for many things, including coordinating with outside vendors for all private policing and safety services, monitoring staffing in the dispatch office and coordinating with nearby police departments to fill vacancies for private assignments.

Diagnosed with Cancer, Jan, as she was called, was determined to get back to work throughout her treatment.

"When Jan became sick, she spoke of coming right back to work as soon as she was able," said Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palomobo Jr. "She was true to her word even though she wasn't ready to come back. It was an amazing display of what can only be described as quiet courage — a strong, simple trait that says 'I'll be here tomorrow.'"

That's a lesson that showed kindness, dignity and steady resolve, Palombo said, traits that every police office could learn a lesson from.

"Very often the perception is only those in blue care for one another, but it's not the case," Palombo said. "We know our mission is intrinsically linked with the civilians who serve with us. That's how we succeed."

Another name etched into the wall belongs to Sgt. William Grady, who passed away this past year. Many newer Cranston officers didn't get to work with Grady when he was working the streets, but they did know him in his role later in life as head of loss prevention for Bob's Stores.

Palombo said Grady was a mentor to him when he was younger. A tireless detective, "the ultimate street cop," Grady was relentless and extremely well liked. 

"He was a true detective in every sense of the word," Palombo said. "A man who had the unending respect of his coworkers and love of his family."

The third name is Sgt. Louis Corvese, who served as a detective sergeant and had a number of accomplishments as a member of the Cranston Police Department, Palombo said.

All three had family members in the audience. They weren't alone in wiping away tears as the chief spoke.

The memorial service isn't just to reflect on the lives of the most-recently passed here in Cranston. It's a chance to commemorate the members of the vast law enforcement family who served and died in the line of duty across the counry. And it's a chance to pay respect to families of the fallen — and those who are serving now — because they are bearing the burdens the job brings through the front door every day a cop walks out.

Those men and women are out there now, patrolling the streets, who "continue to ensure freedom from fear, violence and disorder," Palombo said. "The most difficult job in America is policing a free society. Each and every one of us that wears the uniform knows that at any time we may be counted among the fallen."

And the sacrifices extend to the families that support police officers, who welcome them home with open arms after every tour, who worry every time they walk out the door to represent the badge. 

"We will be forever grateful to our families for selflessly bearing this burden with us," Palombo said.

A well-preserved residential neighborhood in eastern Cranston has received federal recognition for its contributions to the history of architecture and the history of community planning/development.

Edward F. Sanderson, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, announced that the National Park Service has added the Edgewood Historic District – Shaw Plat to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the Federal Government’s official list of properties throughout the United States whose historical and architectural significance makes them worthy of preservation.

With its concentration of domestic buildings, most constructed between 1880 and 1962, the Edgewood Historic District – Shaw Plat is significant as a suburban subdivision which demonstrates the transformation of Edgewood from an agrarian community to a sparsely settled region of fashionable country houses and summer resorts and finally to a more densely developed, middle-class, streetcar and early- automobile suburb.

The Shaw Plat is a section within the larger Edgewood Neighborhood in Cranston. It occupies an area of about 25 acres bounded on the north by the Edgewood Historic District – Arnold Farm Plat, Broad Street on the west, Marion Avenue on the south, and Narragansett Bay on the east. Today the Shaw Plat is a quiet suburban residential neighborhood of detached single-family dwellings set back from the street on grassy lots. There are also six two-family houses, one apartment building, two commercial buildings, a school, and the site of the Edgewood Yacht Club. The prevailing architectural types and styles within the district - Queen Anne, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Bungalow, Four-Square, Dutch Colonial, English Cottage, Garrison Colonial, Ranch, and Modern - reflect its development over the course of more than eight decades.

Prior to the Civil War, what is now the Edgewood neighborhood was a patchwork of farmhouses, outbuildings, fences, stone walls, lanes, orchards, and fields, attesting to a rural, agrarian way of life that had persisted since the area was first settled in the early 17th century. In 1853, the 25 acres of land that would become the Shaw Plat was sold to Allen Shaw of Providence, for $3,660. Almost all of the lots that Shaw laid out were very generous in size – about one or two acres.

In 1870, Allen Shaw sold the northern portion of his plat (north of Shaw Avenue) to Daniel R. Childs of Swansea, Massachusetts, and two years later, Childs recorded his own development plat of 18 sizeable house lots. This was the first of numerous subdivisions within the Shaw Plat.

Local improvements made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries greatly increased Edgewood’s desirability as a residential neighborhood and finally prompted the first wave of housing construction in the historic district. The improvements included a horse-drawn streetcar line that extended from Providence to Pawtuxet Village in 1879, electrified streetcars on Broad Street by 1892, a municipal water system in 1881, and gas and electrical services put in place by the end of the decade. By 1906, Narragansett Boulevard was completed and connected with Allens Avenue. Other new amenities included Roger Williams Park, the Edgewood Casino, and the Edgewood Yacht Club. Edgewood finally began to experience the demand for new housing that had been anticipated years earlier. As of 1910, the Shaw Plat Historic District had 29 houses.

The historic district experienced its greatest building boom concurrent with the rise of automobile use in metropolitan Providence. Between 1911 and 1930, 41 new houses were constructed displaying numerous variations on the Colonial Revival style, as well as other styles and types of the period such as Bungalow and Four-Square. Many of these new houses had garages, built at the same time or shortly afterwards. This period also saw the introduction of commercial uses in the district, on Broad Street just north of Shaw Avenue. New buildings included the Edgewood Greenhouses, an automobile repair garage, and a long brick commercial building. The old Shaw Avenue School was replaced with the Edward S. Rhodes School in 1931.

Housing construction almost ground to a halt during the Great Depression and the early years of World War II. Only four houses were built here between 1931 and 1941. Eight new houses were built in the 1940s and 1950s, and they include examples of the Garrison Colonial style as well as three ranch houses. One of the last important buildings to be erected in the district was the Executive House Apartments at 1890 Broad Street, built in 1961-1963 in a U-shaped configuration with a continuous second-floor balcony overlooking a courtyard, and a large, glass-curtain-walled entrance lobby extending into a carport. For the past fifty years, the Shaw Plat has had a stable history, and it has retained its original character to a high degree with almost no substantial changes in its overall configuration.

The National Register nomination for the Edgewood Historic District – Shaw Plat was prepared by preservation consultant Kathryn Cavanaugh. According to Edward F. Sanderson of the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, “The Shaw Plat joins other parts of Edgewood that have been recognized for their history and architecture. The houses along Marion Avenue and Shaw Avenue preserve a pleasant neighborhood character from one hundred years ago.”

In addition to honoring a property for its contribution to local, state, or national history, listing on the National Register provides additional benefits. It results in special consideration during the planning for Federal or federally assisted projects and makes properties eligible for Federal tax benefits for historic rehabilitation projects. Owners of private property listed on the National Register are free to maintain, manage, or dispose of their property as they choose. As the state office for historic preservation, the Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission is responsible for reviewing and submitting Rhode Island nominations to the National Register. 

Former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey is hoping to be the next governor of Colorado.

A Republican, Laffey released a documentary "Fixing America" last year and is now apparently hoping to lead The Centennial State as its next Governor.

Colorado TV station KDVR reported that Laffey is planning to take on Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, next year and will self-fund his campaign.

Laffey was the mayor Cranston from 2003 to 2007. He lost his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2006 in a primary against current Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.

Read more at KDVR.com.

If Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung decides to throw his hat into the gubernatorial race, he'll lean on his list of accomplishments as mayor of this city, the state's third-largest.

Fung has not committed to running a campaign, but he has hired the former head of the state GOP, Patrick Sweeney, to crunch numbers and see if a bid for the chief executive's job is feasible.

It's no secret that the mayor, who was just reelected to a third term, is widely popular and considered one of the strongest Rhode Island Republicans to climb the ranks in years, starting with his first term on the City Council. He has managed to stabilize the city's budget with no tax increases in two years, is close to getting a judicial stamp of approval on a landmark local pension deal — sparing what some say would have been inevitable bankruptcy — and has played a spirited role as the city's spokesman in chief. You'd be hard pressed to not find Fung at virtually every major Cranston event.

It's also no secret that Fung would be facing significant challenges in his bid, if he ran, mostly financial. At the end of the last reporting period, Fung had $160,000 in his campaign war chest — a far cry from his likely opponents Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras. And it's still early — a well-financed competitor could step into the ring at any time. 

So who better to judge whether Fung should run than Cranstonians? Chime in in the comments and vote in the poll.

Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area.

If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now.

• The Red Cross says in the immediate aftermath, the best way to help is to donate at RedCross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999.
• The Salvation Army has mobilized in Oklahoma, and you can support them by donating online; or by texting STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts; or by making a donation via phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
• For a longer lists of organizations related to recovery from the tornado, see this list on The Huffington Post.

If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor, Mark Schieldrop, at mark.schieldrop@patch.com

If the atmosphere today had you thinking some thunderstorms were coming, you'd be right. The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Special Weather Statement for the possibility of severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

Thunderstorms have already been forming in Southern New Hampshire and additional storms are expected to develop across Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Northern Rhode Island during the afternoon hours.

Some of these storms will produce damaging wind gusts, hail, lightning and heavy rainfall. The main threats will be gusting winds and heavy downpourts, according to the NWS.Residents should closely monitor weather conditions during the afternoon hours and take shelter immediately should dangerous weather develop.

Pat Conaway admits he is "kind of a nut" about the environment, so when he retired from teaching in 2008, it didn't take long for him to find productive ways to spend his time. 

"I wanted to get people fired up about the environment, to try to encourage citizens to get involved locally," said Conaway, founder of Big Hearts, Little Feet. 

A nearly constant presence on area roadways, trails and waterways, Conaway can be found leading groups of volunteers, including many students, to pick up trash, improve trails and remove invasive species.

From beer cans to soda and coffee cups, trash tossed by the roadside washes into local rivers and, if left alone, eventually finds its way to the ocean, where scientists have found plastic particles outnumber zooplankton that sustain fish and other species.

But Conaway believes the real source of the trash is a societal disconnect. 

"My personal philosophy is that this all has a lot more to do with our relationships. We have disconnected ourselves from each other and other creatures that we share this planet with. We are all encased in our own little bubbles and forgot how we can impact each other and the earth. We need to work on repairing those relationships."

At 67, Conaway thinks up-and-coming generations are being raised to be more mindful of their connections to the world around them.

"I think it's starting to change a bit," he said. "I am very hopeful that the universe is starting to bend a bit."

For those who want to help, Conaway has several ways to get involved.

His Trail Buddies group meets two mornings a week to do improvements on open space properties--they are also in the process of planting 100 red Oak seedlings. His Recycling Buddies program needs volunteers who can empty the recycling bins he has placed alongside public trash receptacles in Natick.

And through Big Hearts, Little Feet, Conaway frequently organizes groups that remove trash from trails and waterways, something you can watch here. For instance, local business MathWorks Inc. annually sends Conaway dozens of employees to help clean trash from Fiske Pond. 

Conaway can be reached at bpconaway@gmail.com, or through Big Hearts Little Feet at the Lake Cochituate Watershed Council Website. 

"There are a lot of big global environmental causes out there. What I try to do is get people to start looking at their own backyard and community first. Once you create that awareness, that's when things start to change."

Jeanne B. Ray, 83, passed away unexpectedly on May 17, 2013.

She lived in Cranston for most of her life until moving to Coventry. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her sons: Edward Martin and his wife Cecile of Warwick, Robert C. Ray Jr. and his wife Margaret of Cranston, daughters Barbara J. Botham and her fiance Edward Morgan, Christine Saunders and her companion John Edwards, Margaret Briggs and her husband John of West Warwick, and Sandra Dawson of West Warwick, twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one niece and she was the sister of Gordon E. Martin and his wife Joan.

She was a member of the Egdewood Congregational Church for many years. Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 21st from 6:00-8:00pm in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. Funeral and burial will be private.

Arthur W. "Papa" Campbell, 69, of Cranston, passed away April 26, 2013 at home. 

He was the former husband of the late Corinne S. (Wilkey) Campbell.

Born in Providence a son of the late Thomas V. and Ruth (Morrissette) Campbell. Mr. Campbell was a truck driver for the local teamster's union before retiring. He was U.S. Marine Veteran. Arthur an avid golfer and fisherman.

He is survived by his beloved children, Michael A. Campbell and his wife Maria, Michelle A. Overby and her husband Daniel and Stacey L. Lanigan and her husband Richard. Loving grandfather of, Brendan, Quinn, Bailey, Christian and Maxwell. Brother of Beverly Aceto and the late Thomas Campbell and Ruth Start.

His funeral and burial were private. 

Two Cranston soldiers were recognized for being leaders in their field recently.

Their dedication and hard work has earned them the title of Rhode Island NCO of the Year.

SSG Albert "A.J." Normandin of Cranston, was named the 2013 Rhode Island NCO of the Year, U.S. Army Guard, by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in a ceremony held at the Quonset “O” Club on May 15.  Normandin was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006.

SFC Melinda A. George of Cranston, RI was named the 2013 Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, U.S. Army Reserve by the Association of the United States Army.

Soldiers were recommended by the Unit in which they serve in the U.S. States Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard, and then go on to compete at higher levels to achieve the recognition for which they have been awarded.  Award recipients received a free membership to the AUSA and a commemorative pen and pencil set. 

In all, eight RI soldiers were honored. They are:

Rhode Island Soldier of the Year, Army Reserve

SPC Joshua E. Jensen of Providence, 443^rd Civil Affairs Battalion

Rhode Island Soldier of the Year, Army Guard

SPC Brian McGuire of Coventry

Rhode Island Station Commander of the Year, U.S. Army

SFC Ronnie Simonson

Rhode Island NCO of the Year, Army Reserve

SSG Keith J. Dumaine of Fall River, 443 Civil Affairs Battalion

Rhode Island NCO of the Year, Army Guard

SSG Albert Normandin of Cranston

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, U.S. Army

SFC Seth Rathbun of Coventry

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, Army Guard

SSG Adom Vita of Cranston

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, Army Reserve

SFC Melinda A. George of Cranston, R.I. Army Recruiting Company

“The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) is the backbone of the United States Army, and these excellent soldiers honored this evening are tremendous examples of the leadership excellence required to succeed in the field,” said CSM Russell Pion, R.I. Army National Guard, who served as keynote speaker at the event.

Banneker Industries, a world class supply chain management company with a more than 20-year history of providing logistical support to aerospace and defense industry contractors, was the event’s primary sponsor.

“Banneker Industries is exceptionally proud to support the AUSA for the exemplary work they do to support the mission of the war-fighter,” said Cheryl W. Snead, president and CEO of Banneker Industries.  “Banneker proudly serves aerospace and defense industry companies and, in fact, almost 20 percent of our workforce is comprised of active duty, reservist or retired military personnel.” 

Banneker is a three-year supporter of the event and a corporate AUSA member since 2009.

Walk into Stephanie DiChiro first-grade classroom at Garden City School and you'll find a "literacy wonderland," where children and teacher alike share a love of reading and books.

DiChiro, a 28-year veteran of the teaching profession — 27 of those years spent teaching first graders — doesn't stop with her students. There's the parents night she hosts after school, where a mini training session for moms and dads ensures academic support at home, reinforcing the curriculum. There's the book night during which her students read their own stories to parents and staff, often hilariously so. The author's tea, which brings writers into the school to talk, read and share the love of the written word.

It's a reflection of DiChiro's passion for teaching, writing and reading. And it still burns strong after 28 years in the classroom where she has been dutifully turning young, raw first graders into lifelong learners, setting the foundation for their entire academic careers.

The hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. On Monday, DiChiro was surprised by friends, family and her coworkers in the Garden City School library when she was handed an award: 2013 Cranston Public Schools' Teacher of the Year.

When asked if she feels like she deserves the award, DiChiro quickly answered "I do."

"I've worked hard, I love what I do and it's nice to be recognized for doing something," she said.

"I've tried to keep myself current after 28 years. I'm not stale, I'm not a dinosaur. I change with the times, change with the curriculum, change with things that have happened."

But one thing hasn't changed.

"I love working with the kids."

That love comes easy, since first graders are so enthusiastic and so easy to motivate, DiChiro said.

"They just love everything," she said. "They haven't changed much over the years. We've had to talk about bad things and tragedy this year, but they bounce back. Kids that age just bounce back."

The core of a first grade education is reading and writing. It's when their young minds are so easily influenced and shaped. But it's not just about teaching them how to read and getting them ready for higher grades and a lifetime of learning.

"I want them to love reading," she said. "The foundation I'm giving them in first grade is to make it interesting and motivating all the while I'm sneaking in the skills they need to learn. I just want them to like it as much as I do."

Principal Tonianne Napolitano said DiChiro is "an amazing teacher" who goes above and beyond the day-to-day job. Her door is always open, Napolitano said, and DiChrio understands that the job of constructing a strong educational foundation with her students doesn't stop when the last bell rings at the end of the school day.

"This is the grade where students emerge as readers," Napolitano said. "And Stephanie helps them not only emerge as readers, but as lovers of books and stories."

Tonianne got a phone call from the central office on Thursday letting her know that DiChiro would be getting the award. Lips sealed, Tonianne didn't tell anyone except DiChiro's husband, who invited family to come along for the presentation.

DiChiro's career has touched many lives, evidenced by a few former students coming by to watch her get the honor. 

Superintendent Judith Lundsten presented the award, which was "very sweet," Napolitano said, since Lundsten and DiChrio worked together when Lundsten was still teaching at Garden City School.

In 28 years, DiChiro said she's watched the profession change. Today, there's buzz about iPads. A few years ago, the trend was about teaching just phonics and site words. DiChiro has stayed abreast of all those changes, applying what works, fixing what doesn't.

But call DiChiro old school.

"I still like the feel of a book and I like kids to have a feel of a book in their hands, a pencil and piece of paper when they create and write," she said. "I understand there's a lot of technology out there to take advantage of, but I've always believed you need to have a balanced approach to reading and writing."

Though one recipe for success is simple.

"If you're excited, they're excited," she said.

Are you one of Stephanie's former students? Let us know in the comments!

A 24-year-old Cranston man is facing a slew of felonies after allegedly pointing and racking a loaded handgun from his Buick at a man on Summer Street yesterday afternoon.

Police said Brandon Lyon, of 5 Versailles St., Cranston, was also carrying a plastic bag full of Diazepam, a schedule IV controlled substance, when he was stopped by Cranston police officers shortly after the incident was reported.

Cranston Police Major Robert W. Ryan said the call originally was for shots fired in the vicinity of Chestnut Avenue and Summer Street. They soon realized that there were no shots fired, but the victim, described as a 22-year-old Cranston man who lives in the area, told them the suspect was Lyon, who sped off down Summer Street as the victim dove for cover.

The victim did get a license plate number and Officer Christine Bolduc ran it as she took position on Brookfield Drive near Lyon's address on Versailles Street.

"Within moments, the suspect vehicle passed her location she radioed for assistance and initiated a car stop," Ryan said.  "Officer Bolduc ordered Lyon out of the vehicle at gun point and after determining he was not holding the weapon, she was able to secure him in her cruiser without incident."

Sgt. Jeffrey Chapman and Officer Michael Long arrived to assist. They found a Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun loaded with Luger hollow point pounds. The gun was hidden in a shirt stuffed between the Buick's seats.

Lyon was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a weapon without a permit, use of a firearm while committing a crime of violence and narcotics possession.

Lyon was arraigned and ordered held without bail as a probation violator. Police said he has a previous charge for assault and resisting arrest by Cranston Police. He'll be back in court on May 30 for the bail violation and on July 24 for the new felony charges. 

More Cranston Real Estate Listings >>

Smithfield's Roupen Bastajian, a RI State Trooper running the Boston Marathon and a graduate of Cranston High School West, exhausted after finishing the race, lept to the aid of bombing victims when two blasts struck bystanders April 15.

Last week, Bastajian was honored for his actions that day aiding people with severed and lacerated limbs without a second thought upon hearing the blasts. The RI State Police awarded Bastajian with their highest honor, the service ribbon, which the trooper wore during a Monday morning press conference. Yesterday morning, he spoke about it for the first time since during a press conference.

Bastajian said before the explosions, he'd been requesting medical attention himself, since he'd just finished running 26.2 miles with little advance training. The last time he ran the Boston Marathon was two years ago, when he finished with a 4:05:00, and he'd only done a few training runs ahead of this Marathon. "The only reason I signed up for it was my badge number," Bastajian said - #117, and it was also the 117th Boston Marathon. But he did finish, with a 4:02 time - placing him well away from the danger of the blasts, but close enough to be among the first responders to the scene. 

As he rushed in, he said, "I was saying to myself, to my wife, 'Babe, I love you,'" he said.

Bastajian described helping an older gentleman who'd lost both his legs, and tying tourniquets to his injuries. "I said, 'Sir, you're going to be all right,'" Bastajian said. Then, he made sure of it, getting the attention of EMTs at the scene and telling them his charge was in dire need. "I said, 'Sir, you don't understand, this guy's life is on the line,'" Bastajian recalled.

Another woman Bastajian helped had a wide gash on her leg, which Bastajian asked her to help him hold together while he bandaged her wound. "We just tried to fix them," Bastajian said.

Bastajian said he clearly remembers helping three people, but he's pieced together coming to the aid of five injured that day. Then, he said, he took the advice of the police and fire personnel who were asking them to clear out. He asked to borrow someone's phone so he could call his wife - she was home with his three children that day instead of having made the trip in. "That was a blessing by itself," Bastajian said. He reached for the phone, then saw blood on his hands, and asked the person offering it to dial his wife's number for him, letting her know he was all right. "It's good when you have a strong wife that can endure a lot," Bastajian said.

When asked about people who have suggested that the living bomber should be spared from the consequences of the attacks, "It is offensive to me," Bastajian said. "Everyone should face justice." 

Bastajian said he'd like to meet up with the people he helped, but he hasn't reached out to them yet, preferring to give them time to cope with the physical, mental, emotional and financial aftermath of the attacks.

Bastajian, a resident of Smithfield since 1995, said he moved to the US with his parents from Lebanon in 1987. He said he's wanted to be a Trooper since he was 16. 

Bastajian said he didn't think to himself before the Marathon what he'd do in the event of an attack on the race or crowd. "The reality is, not at all," Bastajian said. The former US Marine deferred to his faith by way of explaining his ability to act quickly to help others, quoting Phillipians 4-13:"I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me."

Bastajian said he'll be thinking about how he'll help next time, though. "Will I in the future? Absolutely," Bastajian said. 

School safety is on everybody's mind, especially after the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT, which was deemed the worst school shooting in recent U.S. history. 

The Rhode Island Senate on Tuesday passed two bills aimed at improving school safety, both by Cranston members of the General Assembly.

The first bill, 2013-S 0800A, introduced by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D- Cranston, West Warwick), directs the commissioner for elementary and secondary education to certify annually that all school safety plans and school emergency response plans have been reviewed and updated as appropriate.

The second bill, 2013-S 0801A, sponsored by Gallo, requires all schools to perform a school safety assessment in conjunction with local police, fire and school safety teams within 30 days of passage of the legislation and every three years thereafter.

“We can never be complacent about the safety of children and employees in schools around the state,” said Gallo. 

However, the bills also make school safety assessment and school safety plans exempt from public records law, and all meetings of the schools safety team are not subject to open meetings laws.

On one hand, making safety plans exempt from the public prevents potential criminals from knowing plans. On the other hand, making the safety plans private prevents the public and parents from reviewing the plans and providing input. 

We want to know what you think. Should school safety plans be made public? Tell us in the comment section below! 

The State Properties Committee has approved the sale of the former Training School property in the John O. Pastore Complex in Cranston to the Carpionato Group of Johnston.

The same company owns Chapel View — a high end shopping center near nearby and close to Garden City.

The Providence Journal reported that Carpionato will pay $4.75 million for the property and will demolish the former training school buildings. The plan is to build a mixed-use development with shopping and residences.

Read more.

Did you catch local farmer Christina Dedora on TV the other day?

Dedora, the owner of Blue Skys Farm, a 2-acre farm in Cranston, appeared on WPRI's Executive Suite.

Hear the local farmer talk about the industry and what it takes to successfully run a farm in Rhode Island.

While you may not have won the recent $590.5 million Powerball jackpot, you can get a slice of the good life with one of this week's selection of luxury cars available at dealerships around Rhode Island.

The best part? Most of these classy rides can be had for under $60,000.

Be sure to check out more cars for sale on AOL Autos.com

1. 2013 Volvo XC60 T6— $49,444

Always known for its safety standards, Volvo adds some oomph with this latest SUV entry. Pairing a 3.0L inline 6-cyl. turbo with a six-speed automatic transmission, the XC60 adds creature comforts like automatic A/C, headlight cleaners, saved settings for up to three different drivers, and leather interior.

For sale at: Viti Volvo, Tiverton

2. 2013 Lincoln MKX Base— $50,295

For Lincoln's "base" model, this SUV has plenty of upper-market features, including heated front seats, power heated mirrors, and power door locks controlled by digital key pad. The 350-hp 3.7L V-6 provides 17/23 mpg.

For sale at: Tasca Automotive Group, Cranston

3. 2013 BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid— $52,995

This hybrid Beemer offers a cold-weather package [heated seats and steering wheel and all-season tires, among other features] and a thumping Harmon/Kardon sound system. The gas/electric propulsion system is good for 335 hp and 25 city mpg.

For sale at: BMW of Newport, Middletown

4. 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT— $66,330

The beefier cousin to the Overland we reviewed last year, the new SRT boasts a 6.4L Hemi that delivers 470hp and interior features like a DVD, Bluetooth connection, and leather and metal accents on the shifter and steering wheel.

For sale at: Metro Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, Johnston

5. 2010 Jaguar XK— $64,875

With just 3,318 mi. on the odometer, there's still lots of life in this one-owner Jag. Recently reconditioned, this slick white British driver carries a 5.0L V8, a monocoque chassis, and provides great acceleration while providing 16/22 mpg fuel mileage stats.

For sale at: Flood Ford of East Greenwich

... And when 'luxury' is a way of life:

2013 Bentley Continental GT— $232,110

This flex-fuel rocket boasts a 6.0-liter W12 producing 567 hp hooked up to an 8-speed transmission, good for 5.5-sec. 0-60 times. More than likely, though, you'll want to cruise in this machine and enjoy the Nain 11-speaker sound system, and touch-screen interface.

For sale at: Providence Bentley, Warwick

Robert E. Tocco, Sr., 75, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at RI Hospital in Providence.

Bobby was the beloved husband of 50 years to Joanne F. (Borzaro) Tocco. He was born in Providence, a son of the late William P. Tocco and Antonetta (Petrucci) Tocco. He was retired from the UPS after 31 years of service. He also served in the Army Reserves, was an avid outdoorsman and car enthusiast, and a communicant of St. Mary’s Church. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Besides his beloved wife, Bobby is survived by his loving children, Michael P. Tocco and his wife Charlene of Chepachet, Maria J. Tocco and her wife Laura Pisaturo of Warwick, Michelle J. Robertson of MA and Robert E. Tocco, Jr. and his companion Katherine Mayberry of Cranston. He was also the cherished grandfather of Paige, Danielle, Vanessa, Jack, Benjamin, Matthew, Ryan, Nicholas, Ava and was the dear brother of Norma Hundertmark of MD, Joseph Tocco of Warwick and the late Irene DiGiacomo, John and William Tocco. He was also the former father in-law of Scott Robertson and Gina Tocco.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME 1278 Park Ave., Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston. Burial will take place in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS: Monday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: American Heart Assoc. 1 State Street, Suite 200 Providence, RI, 02908.

Amable Gonzalez, 69, of Cranston, passed away May 20, 2013 at home.

He was the beloved husband of Maxima (Minaya) Gonzalez for 47 years. Born in the Dominican Republic, a son of the late Juan and Casiana (Polanco) Gonzalez.

Mr Gonzalez was an electronic technician for Sears. He was a member of St. John's Lodge #1 in Providence and the Scottish Rite. Besides his wife he is survived by his children George Gonzalez, Richard Gonzalez, Amable Gonzalez Jr. and Joanna Gonzalez, 5 grandchildren and 11 brothers and sisters. He was the father of the late Yaira Gonzalez.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in ''WOODLAWN'' Funeral Home 600 Pontiac Ave. Cranston. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. VISITATION THURSDAY 5-8 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m.