Violence Response + Women In Prison + Teacher Of The Year

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

First, the weather: Rain tomorrow and Friday.

• Thursday: Rain throughout the day. Temps: High of 68 and low of 64.
• Friday: Possible light rain until evening. Temps: High of 72 and low of 62.
• Saturday: Partly cloudy throughout the day. Temps: High of 86, low of 69.

Today's Top Five Stories From Pawtucket:

1. City Councilor Melissa DaRosa is taking Mayor Donald Grebien to task for his low-key response to violence in the city. DaRosa told Grebien that he's giving the impression he doesn't care when he fails to make public statements following violent crime events. Grebien says he cares deeply about the community and tells The Valley Breeze his personal style has always been to reach out directly to the family of the victim instead of holding a big press conference.

2. Mayor Grebien has an opinion piece in the Providence Journal, once again highlighting his administration's focus on upgrading public school facilities across the city. "Now, with an estimated $38 million-plus from the American Rescue Plan per the Congressional Research Services for Pawtucket Public Schools investment, we have the unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on the momentum of these projects and propel our schools forward," Grebien wrote.

3. The Rhode Island Senate will form a commission to study ways to reduce the number of incarcerated women. That's thanks to a successful resolution sponsored by Sen. Meghan Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence). The news comes as the DOC considers closing its women's detention facility in Cranston. Read about it on Patch.com.

4. A popular Pawtucket news stand is set to reopen, officials say. Tavares & Sons News at 30 High Street was closed due to COVID-19, and the owner needed surgery. The tiny and unique convenience store has a drive-up option.

5. Educator Keri Bettencourt has been named Pawtucket's District Teacher of the Year. The Pawtucket native is a special education teacher at Jenks Junior High School and works with students in grades 6-8 who have severe intellectual disabilities. The Valley Breeze has the story.

Events:

• The Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency meets at noon with an executive session on the agenda. The Pawtucket Pension Board convenes at 4 p.m. with plans to introduce Clifford White of Graystone Consulting, a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Policy Subcommittee of the School Committee meets at 6 p.m.

• It's Thursday night adult skate night at United Skates of America in nearby North Providence. The venue plays 70s, 80s, and 90s music every Thursday night for the 18+ crowd. That's 7-9 p.m. at 75 New Road.

• Friends of the Ten Mile River are looking for volunteers to help pull invasive water chestnuts on Saturday. That starts at 9 a.m. People who want to help should email tenmilefriends@gmail.com for instructions and the location.

That's it. You're all caught up. Follow Pawtucket Patch on the web, and if you like what we're doing, ask your friends to sign up for our newsletter. Have a great day.

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. Former reporter with The Republican/MassLive. Did my time as news director at WBSM 1420 AM in New Bedford. I still like paper maps. Reach me at mary.serreze@patch.com.