Police: Death of woman walking dog ‘tragic accident’

No charges or quotes were filed last week after a woman walking her dog at the intersection of Aqueduct and Intervale streets was hit by a vehicle and killed, according to the Cranston Police.

Rhonda Lobuono, 58, died on the scene, Police Chief Colonel Michael Winquist said Monday. The officers responded to the incident at around 5 p.m. on March 25.

According to the boss, the driver of the affected vehicle, known as a pickup truck, had seen Lobuono walking her dog when he approached a stop sign at around the same time as another vehicle. The driver looked right to have visual contact with the driver of the other vehicle, and at that point he was waved.

The boss said that when the driver continued to drive at slow speed – without realizing that the pedestrian had crossed the lane – he felt “a bump as if he had hit something” and stopped the vehicle.

Winquist said the driver was “distraught” and stayed at the scene. The officials noted that “there was clearly no evidence of alcohol [or] Drug impairment, ”and he described the situation as a“ tragic accident ”.

The chief said the police used video from a nearby doorbell camera in their investigation, and “we got a lot of it together.” He said it was unclear whether Lobuono’s dog could have pulled them in the vehicle’s path.

“We don’t know if that played a role, the dog pulled them. But it was a bigger dog, ”he said.

Winquist said there is no zebra crossing in the location where the incident occurred. He noted that the intersection in question was redesigned a few years ago due to complaints from neighbors about speeding in the area. He also said police had been monitoring the area and “found that most drivers are keeping to their speed and using traffic control devices.”

“We will check this intersection,” he said, adding, “As far as we know, it is not a heavily traversed area. We’ll look at that again [whether a crosswalk is appropriate]. ”

Hopkins order expands outdoor dining

Mayor Ken Hopkins signed an ordinance last week to allow food establishments in the city to offer expanded outdoor dining.

“Unfortunately, Cranston’s food service companies are badly affected by the economic impact of COVID-19,” the mayor said in a statement. “You cannot endure continued financial hardship. Now is the time to give them the opportunity to relax and leave their misery of the past year behind. The people of our city can safely return to the al fresco dining experience in our superb restaurants and related facilities. I am proud to be able to help you based on my Executive Order. “

The arrangement is similar to that of a former Mayor Allan Fung, which was signed in May 2020. It allows restaurants to obtain a temporary license to expand their outdoor seating, provided they are “in good shape” with the city. The licenses are free and only require the business file to contain a form showing that it complies with public health guidelines.

Vaccination eligibility will be expanded in Cranston postcodes

Eligibility to get the COVID-19 vaccination has been extended to anyone 16 and over in eight of the state’s hardest-hit zip codes – including three that contain parts of Cranston.

Residents of 02905, 02907 and 02909 – zip codes that largely cover Providence but include some neighborhoods of Cranston – can enroll for vaccination through the state locations or the ongoing pharmacy program, the Department of Health said Monday.

Registration for the state locations, including Sockaonsett Cross Road in Cranston, is available through vacinateri.org or by calling 844-930-1779. About 5,550 appointments became available Tuesday morning, and the state typically made new appointments available twice a week. Registration for the pharmacy programs at CVS and Walgreens has not yet been completed and can be done through the respective websites of these chains.

The other zip codes included in the announcement are in Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls.

“From the day I took office, my top priority has been building our vaccination capacity and shooting in the arms of as many Rhode Islanders as soon as possible,” Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. “I am pleased that our federal government offer continues to grow, and I encourage all Rhode Islanders to sign up for their shot as soon as they are eligible.”

During last week’s COVID-19 briefing, heads of state said they expect the state’s vaccine capacity and supply to continue to grow in the coming weeks.

Starting April 5, officials plan to open the rating to all Rhode Islanders between the ages of 50 and 59. Eligibility for the 40 to 49 year olds would open “about a week later,” said Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott. The goal is for all Rhode Islanders 16 and older to be eligible by April 19th.

Officials also announced the introduction of a pre-registration system for vaccinations last week. The tool, available through portal.ri.gov or by calling 844-930-1779, will notify those who pre-register as soon as an appointment is ready for them at a state location.

Thomas McCarthy, executive director of the state’s COVID-19 response, said there will be “some flexibility as to the time, but the appointment will be for a set date and place”.

“Nobody is left behind and nobody is forgotten,” he said.

Hopkins Presents Budget; Consultation plan established

Mayor Ken Hopkins is expected to announce his city budget for the coming year during an address to the city council on April 1, while the city council’s finance committee announced the schedule for its hearings on the proposal.

The hearings, which will group different city departments into groups and will be held via Zoom, will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 3rd. The budget proposals for the city’s Finance, Tax Collection, Building Inspection, Senior Services, Parks, and Leisure and Acquisitions departments are among those to be discussed during the first session.

At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, the committee will review budget plans for the Cranston Public Library, the mayor’s office, and other offices. On Thursday, April 8th, at 6 p.m., the committee will focus on the budgets of the police, fire brigade and district court.

The next session, which starts at 6pm on Monday April 12th, will focus on public works, sewer, planning and capital budgeting plans.

The Cranston Public Schools budget review will take place on Wednesday, April 21st at 6pm

The current schedule calls for budget changes to be taken into account during a special city council meeting on Monday, April 26th, starting at 5:30 p.m. Approval of the budget is planned for Thursday, May 6th.

The full schedule of the hearings is available on the city’s website. www.cranstonri.gov.

Warwick Mall Showcase will be permanently closed

The Showcase Cinemas location on Warwick Mall, which was closed during the pandemic, will not reopen its doors.

WPRI and WLNE each reported that Domenic Schiavone, the mall’s general manager, said the theater chain had decided not to renew its lease on the site when it expires in late April.

Schiavone told the Providence Journal that the mall will replace the showcase with another entertainment center.

The Warwick Mall Showcase has been closed since last March following a decision not to reopen moviegoers once pandemic restrictions are allowed.

The chain’s other, original Warwick location on Quaker Lane near the East Greenwich Line reopened last summer and is not expected to close.

Online real estate records show that the nearly 48,000 square foot building currently inhabited by the Warwick Mall Showcase is owned by Warwick Mall Owner LLC. The valuation for 2020 is given at around 6.3 million US dollars.

Showcase Cinemas is owned by Massachusetts-based National Amusements. – –

– Daniel Kittredge

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