RI Beach Closures + Inclusive Voting Website + State Of Emergency

Happy 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 closure of two Rhode Island beaches due to high bacteria levels, the new Thundermist Health Center website that aims to help trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse voters, and the extension on Rhode Island's pandemic state of emergency. We also include information about a grant opportunity for Rhode Island-based nonprofits and the opening of the state's first drive-thru vaccination site in Smithfield.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers in the morning. Temps: High of 72° & low of 54°.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. The Rhode Island Department of Health recommends closing two local beaches due to high bacteria levels. According to health officials, Goddard Park Beach in Warwick and Easton's Beach in Newport should not be open for swimming. (Patch)

2. Thundermist Health Center has launched a new website that aims to reduce barriers to voting for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse Rhode Islanders. TransVoteRI.com was created help trans voters update their state and federal documents for a smoother experience at the polls. (Patch)

3. Gov. Dan McKee has extended Rhode Island's coronavirus pandemic state of emergency by another month. The current state of emergency was first declared by former governor Gina Raimondo on March 9, 2020. (Patch)

4. The Greater Providence Board of Realtors has announced that it is now accepting grant applications from Rhode Island-based non-profit organizations. Organizations providing services that enhance lives and uplift Rhode Islanders are invited to apply for a 2022 grant through the GPBOR C.A.R.E. foundation. (Patch)

5. Rhode Island's first public drive-thru vaccination site opened in Smithfield Saturday at the Fidelity Investments parking garage on Salem Street and 103 people received shots on opening day. The next clinic will be held at the same site on Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. (Patch)

Happenings and Events in Woonsocket:

• American Legion Post 85 is hosting Live Music Under the Stars from 7 to 11 p.m. More information can be found here.
• Stadium Theatre is hosting Disney Days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This workshop is for ages 6 to 12 and will include mini-classes in acting, singing, and dancing. To register your child, click here.
• Stadium Theatre is also hosting Heritage Ballet: An Evening of Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Woonsocket. We'll see you in your inbox tomorrow. 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.