Lawyer For Teen Shot By Pawtucket Cop Speaks + Big Blue Bug TLC

Welcome to the Pawtucket Patch Daily — your quickest way to get caught up on the city's top news stories. I'm your host, Mary Serreze. I can be reached at mary.serreze@patch.com. Feel free to send me your news tips, thoughts, and ideas.

First, today's weather: Rain overnight. High: 94, low: 72.

Late Breaking: The Crook Point Bascule Bridge in Providence caught fire overnight. (WJAR)

Patch Pick: Nibbles Woodaway, Rhode Island's iconic big blue bug, needs some TLC. The two-ton insect is structurally sound, but there's a big hole in its right wing and its legs are starting to rust. Efforts are underway to find the perfect craftsman-contractor. (WPRI)

Here are the top five stories in and around Pawtucket today:

1. “Unspeakable trauma.” Atty. James Howe says off-duty Pawtucket patrol officer Dan Dolan terrorized three West Greenwich teens in a pizza shop parking lot and failed to provide first aid to an innocent 18-year-old after he shot him in the arm. Howe held a news conference Monday flanked by the shooting victim, Dominic Vincent, whose left arm was in a cast, and brothers Vincent and Joseph Greco, 18 and 17, who were with Vincent at the time of the June 23 incident. WPRI shot video of the entire news conference, which can be viewed here.
2. Pawtucket and Central Falls have closed their COVID-19 telephone hotline, citing declining cases and call volumes. The call center was hosted by Collette Tours, a local business. It let people schedule vaccines and tests in four languages. The fight isn't over, and outreach efforts will continue, said mayors Grebien and Rivera. (Patch)
3. Air pollution in the Pawtucket/Providence region has reached unhealthy levels due to the heat wave. State officials are advising people to protect children, the elderly, and those with underlying lung conditions. (Patch)
4. Nearby East Providence has unveiled a new splash park for kids, just in time for the hot weather. The city made use of a $100,000 RIDEM grant. (WPRI)
5. WaterFire is back on its feet with a $600,000 boost — half from the City of Providence and half from the state. The arts and culture institution had threatened to close after the City Council Finance Committee voted to deny its request for support with pandemic relief funds. "Now, the State of Rhode Island has pledged its support — and the City Council has changed its tune." (GoLocalProv)

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EVENTS
• The Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency meets at noon (June 30). A discussion about 175 Main St., a "legal counsel introduction" and a "Front Street recommendation" are on the agenda before the board enters executive session.

• The Pawtucket Housing Authority meets at 4 p.m. (June 30). Among the many items on the agenda is a "PHA Dress Code Policy" discussion.

• Racing fans might want to head over to the Seekonk Speedway. "The night will see the stars of the Tri Track Open Modified Series compete at the Massachusetts oval for the first time in over 19 months for a $10,000 prize in the 16th annual mid-week event." The track is at 1782 Fall River Ave. and the action starts at 6:30 p.m.

That's it. You're all caught up. If you like this newsletter, sign up and tell your friends. It's simple, but it keeps us rolling. Let me know about your community events. Have a good day out there. -Mary

About me: Maine native, UMass Amherst Regional Planning alum. Stick-shift driver, explorer. I believe in good government and the public's right to know. Interested in just about everything. I still like paper maps. I can be reached at mary.serreze@patch.com.