Moors Arraigned + Pawtucket Coffee Roaster Leaves Town

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, the weather for July 7: Rain overnight. High of 89, low of 66.

Here are the top stories in Pawtucket today:

1. Supporters of “Rise of the Moors” protested outside a Massachusetts courtroom Tuesday as 10 men — including two from Rhode Island — were arraigned on gun charges. The group was arrested Saturday after an armed standoff with police on I-95. The men claim they are Moorish nationals who are not beholden to U.S. laws. (WHDH)

Inside the courtroom, WCVB described a “bizarre set of hearings” where spectators repeatedly disrupted the proceedings. Quinn Cumberlander, 40, of Pawtucket, told the judge the group is a "well-regulated militia.” Tolman grad Jamhal Tavon Sanders Latimer— AKA Jamhal Talib Abdullah Bey, 29, of Providence — was among those arraigned. “There was a large and visible police presence outside of court, especially when the Middlesex County sheriff's transport van carrying members of the group arrived.” (WCVB)

2. Pawtucket public safety personnel have offered to train as lifeguards so the city can open the Fairlawn Pool. Statewide, there’s been a lifeguard shortage, and Pawtucket was having a hard time finding recruits. Mayor Donald Grebien thanked the Public Safety Department and said some city workers will gain lifeguard certification over the next two weeks. (Patch)

3. A Pawtucket coffee roaster has moved its operation to the Farm Fresh RI Food Hub in Providence. New Harvest Coffee is celebrating its 20th anniversary “with a larger production space, new roasting equipment, refreshed branding, and a new location for its coffee and spirits bar.” The 3,500-square-foot former location in Pawtucket will remain a warehouse and home to the New Harvest service company, Northeastern Coffee Equipment, for the remainder of the lease. (Daily Coffee News)

4. In nearby Providence, a member of the City Council faces charges in connection with a hit-and-run crash (GoLocalProv). Also, police are investigating after a 19-year-old man was shot and killed. Police said David Lozada was walking down the street when someone shot at him from an oncoming car. The driver of that car then ran over the victim and kept going. (WPRI)

5. Shea High School alumni and their guests visited the old building one last time before renovations begin. "The outpouring of support was overwhelming, as hundreds walked the halls of the school, reminiscing, taking photos, and catching up with old friends.” Shea High School at 485 East Ave. will be the latest city school to undergo renovations as part of a $220 million bond approved by voters in 2018. (The Valley Breeze)

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EVENTS

• The Pawtucket City Council meets at 7 p.m. and Tidewater Landing is on the agenda. Tune in at 6:45 p.m. to catch the Board of License Commissioners. Among other things, Mango Hookah Lounge at 15 Exchange Street seeks permission to hold a series of outdoor events this summer.

• Are your kids interested in owls? Then head over to the North Providence Library at 1:30 p.m., but be sure to register first. The Audubon Society on July 7 is hosting a 45-minute presentation on the mysterious nocturnal birds.

That's it. You're all caught up. If you like this newsletter, subscribe 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.