🌱 Patch AM: How Johnston neighbors can get free help with a rat infestation

Greetings Johnston! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Johnston neighbors can get free help with a rat infestation
• Why are Johnston rescues heading to Amazon so often?
• Johnston pharmacy student heads to national "elite eight" competition

Also on today's calendar: The Third Great Marian Procession and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and delightful, with a high of 72 and low of 45 degrees.
• Saturday: Plenty of sun, temps: high: 68, low: 44.
• Sunday: Becoming cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Johnston neighborhood plagued by rat infestation (wpri.com) — Johnston residents on Bingley Terrace say rats, some nearly cat-sized, are overrunning their neighborhood and may be coming from a long-abandoned bakery on Plainfield Street. Neighbors have started an online petition, while the mayor urges anyone affected to contact the town's free Rodent Control service and file complaints so officials can investigate and respond.
   

• Q&A: Johnston raises safety concerns with Amazon warehouse (wpri.com) — Johnston officials say the town's Amazon warehouse has generated roughly 200 emergency responses since opening in July 2025, averaging about four calls a week. Fire Chief Keith Calci and Mayor Joseph Polisena describe heavy reliance on local rescues, prompting broader safety concerns that a Globe Rhode Island reporter discusses in a televised Q&A for residents following the issue.
   

• URI pharmacy students advance to 'elite eight' in national clinical challenge (uri.edu) — A Johnston pharmacy student is part of a three-person University of Rhode Island team that has advanced to the national "elite eight" in a major clinical pharmacy challenge. After beating more than 100 teams, they'll compete in Salt Lake City this month, showcasing Rhode Island talent on a national stage and drawing attention to the strength of URI's pharmacy program.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday October 12
• Escada Restaurant & Bar – Johnston – RI →
  Escada Restaurant & Bar, 39 Putnam Pike, Johnston
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday October 12
• Library closed
  Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library, 1 Memorial Avenue, Johnston
• Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.'s 4th Annual Columbus Day Food Truck Feast →
  Johnston War Memorial Park, 1583 Hartford Ave, Johnston
  11:30 am
• Food Trucks @ Johnston Memorial Park →
  1583 Hartford Ave, Johnston
  11:30 am
• Night Class Bartending & Mixology →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  5:00 pm
Tuesday October 13
• Open Practice/Study session →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  2:00 pm
• Johnston Town Council Meeting →
  Johnston Municipal Court, Johnston
  7:00 pm
Wednesday October 14
• Johnston Prevention Coalition Meeting →
  Johnston RI
  7:30 am
Thursday October 15
• Open Practice/Study session →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  2:00 pm
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
• Revolutionary War: Perspective of Indigenous People & Local Militia →
  Hipses Rock, 216 Morgan Ave, Johnston
  12:00 pm

📣 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.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• pOpshelf posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in JOHNSTON RI S20362 in Johnston. Apply here.
• Citizens Financial Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Appraisal Service Coordinator in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

North Providence

• North Providence Council Seeks Review of Storage Facility (upriseri.com)
• Who are the experts picking? Week 5 football ProJo Pigskin Picks (providencejournal.com)
• North Providence Lot Owner Threatens Suit Over Parking (upriseri.com)

Cranston

• Water Will Soon Flow: Knightsville's Second Fountain Nears Completion in Cranston (rinewstoday.com)

Providence

• Wanted Providence Man Pulled Over, Arrested And Jailed: Cops (patch.com)
• 2 Providence Men Charged With Wire Fraud And Aggravated ID Theft: Cops (patch.com)
• Providence Police Make Arrest In Stabbing Of Mom And Little Girl (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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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