High-Risk Coronavirus Restrictions Lifted + Juneteenth In RI

You made it to the weekend, Woonsocket!

Welcome to the Woonsocket Patch Daily — the quickest way to get caught up on the biggest news and events happening in town.

In today's Daily, we share the latest news about the newest small business in Woonsocket, the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on "higher risk" activities, and the celebration of Juneteenth in Rhode Island. We also include information about Rhode Island lawmakers raising the tax threshold on coronavirus relief loans, and the return of the Providence to Newport ferry.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Temps: High of 86° and low of 63°.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. The City of Woonsocket is welcoming its newest small business, Antojitos Taqueria, which is now serving authentic Mexican food on Cumberland Hill Road. Antojitos Taqueria, which is a sister restaurant to Los Antojitos Restaurant & Bar in North Attleboro, offers take-out and drive-thru service. (Patch)

2. Rhode Island has removed coronavirus restrictions on "higher risk" activities, including nightclubs, saunas, live performances and hookah bars, for fully vaccinated individuals. The restrictions are officially lifted as of Friday. (Patch)

3. Gov. Dan McKee said he supports making Juneteenth a state holiday, saying Thursday that he would "sign that bill if it came to [him]" from the General Assembly. This week, President Joe Biden officially declared June 19 a federal holiday. (Patch)

4. Rhode Island lawmakers have raised the tax threshold on coronavirus relief loans to $250,000 from the $150,000 initially proposed by Gov. Dan McKee. This will only apply to businesses that made a profit and approximately 93 percent of the businesses that received a total of $2.6 billion will be exempt from paying taxes on their loans. (Patch)

5. The Providence to Newport ferry is back in service for the season. The ferry, operated by Seastreak and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, runs four round trips every day and stops in Bristol on weekends. (Patch)

Happenings and Events in Woonsocket:

• The Museum of Work & Culture is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be reserved online here.
• Millrace Kitchen is hosting a Juneteenth Vaccine Clinic from 1 to 5 p.m. Walk-in appointments are available to anyone age 12 and older.
• Stadium Theatre will host Encore Dance Academy's The Magical World of Dance at 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
• Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson & The Magic Rockers will be performing at Chan's Restaurant at 8 p.m. For more information, click here.
• Edge of Dreams will be playing at Elks Lodge from 8 to 11:45 p.m. Click here for more info.

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Woonsocket. We'll see you in your inbox Tuesday. Have a great day!

-Annie

About me: I grew up in Central Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Harvard University. I have lived, worked, and studied in Boston for the last five years and cover stories in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I am passionate about music and the arts, creative writing and literature, and topics of social and political justice.