🌱 Patch AM: How a 6-year-old Johnston author is helping kids handle grief

Hello Johnston! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 6-year-old Johnston author is helping kids handle grief
• What Johnston officials say about alleged misconduct inside local fire stations
• How a 100-year-old plant keeps Johnston's taps flowing today

Also on today's calendar: Harmony Heritage Women's A Cappella Chorus Invites Female Singers to Sing at A Cappella Holiday Show and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Nice with periods of sun, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.
• Friday: Very warm and humid, temps: high: 83, low: 57.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and not as warm, with a high of 71 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Young student, ex-teacher share bond of co-authorship (johnstonsunrise.net) — A 6-year-old Johnston resident and her former Johnston teacher have co-written a children's book to help kids process grief, inspired by their own losses. They've already sold over 100 copies, are donating books to Johnston schools, and will give $1 from each sale to a local bereavement center, hoping their story reflects the caring side of Johnston.
   

• Fire Dept. misconduct? Chief, mayor reject claims (johnstonsunrise.net) — Johnston's fire chief and mayor are strongly denying a firefighter's lawsuit claims that on-duty personnel abused alcohol and marijuana and allowed intoxicated visitors in local stations. Town leaders say no complaints have surfaced despite thousands of annual calls, while an outside former State Police colonel reviews the allegations as the legal case moves forward.
   

• Providence Water hosts Centennial celebration (turnto10.com) — Johnston residents rely on Providence Water's century-old Holton Purification Works, which now supplies about 60 million gallons of drinking water daily to roughly 600,000 Rhode Islanders. Local leaders, including Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr., joined state and federal officials to celebrate the plant's 100 years of service and highlight planned infrastructure investments to keep the system reliable for decades ahead.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

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★ Featured events ★

Thursday October 1
• Harmony Heritage Women's A Cappella Chorus Invites Female Singers to Sing at A Cappella Holiday Show →
  100 Newman Ave, East Providence
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday October 5
• DAY CLASS Bartending & Mixology →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
Tuesday October 6
• Open Practice/Study session 9:30am-3pm →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
• Open Practice/Study session →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
• Support Group - First Tuesday →
  Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, 2109 Hartford Ave, Johnston
  4:00 pm
Thursday October 8
• Open Practice/Study session →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
• Mixology Practical Exam Check in time is 12:00pm →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  12:00 pm
Friday October 9
• Tolman at Johnston →
  Johnston High School, 345 Cherry Hill Rd, Johnston
  6:00 pm
Monday October 12
• Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.'s 4th Annual Columbus Day Food Truck Feast →
  1583 Hartford Ave, Johnston
• Food Trucks @ Johnston Memorial Park →
  1583 Hartford Ave, Johnston
  11:30 am
Saturday October 17
• The Third Great Marian Procession →
  538 Broadway, Providence
  9:00 am
• Qigong Workshop →
  Light of Hope, 245 Phenix Ave, Cranston
  10:00 am

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Kellermeyer Bergensons Services posted a job opening for General Cleaner in Johnston. Apply here.
• Burlington Stores posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

North Providence

• 2026 Rhode Island High School Football Top 25 Rankings – Sept. 29 (on3.com)

Cranston

• Slow Down Together With an Inner Peace Party (naturalawakeningsboston.com)
• 11 Restaurants Just Outside Providence That Are Worth the Short Drive (newsbreak.com)
• Providence Water celebrates 100 years (turnto10.com)

Providence

• Providence Man Charged With Driving On Suspended License: Cops (patch.com)
• Providence Narcotics Probes Lead To Multiple Arrests, Gun And Drug Seizures: Cops (patch.com)
• Pawtucket Man Wanted On Conspiracy And Shoplifting Charges Nabbed: Cops (patch.com)

Ok Johnston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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