Big Blue Bug + Protest Against New Statue + Babysitter Arraigned

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know going on in Pawtucket today.

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First, today's weather:

Times of sun and clouds. High: 75 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories in Pawtucket and nearby communities today:

1. Indigenous people and allies protested a new statue and Columbus Day in Pawtucket on Monday. The new statue of William Blackstone was placed at the corner of Roosevelt Ave. and Exchange St. and has been met with disapproval from Narragansett Tribe members and others who see the statue as glorifying colonization and gentrification. The protest was held by Narragansett Tribal Elders Bella Noka and Randy Noka, alongside Indigenous Rhode Islanders, Pawtucket residents, and allies at the Veterans Memorial Park, across the street from the statue on Indigenous People's Day. (Uprise RI)
2. A Central Falls woman was released following her arraignment, after being accused of lying to police about finding a young boy alone near Route 95 on Sunday. Daniela Peraza Lemus, 22, who was charged with filing a false police report, was arraigned by a bail commissioner at the Pawtucket Police Headquarters on Monday and released on $5,000 personal recognizance. The police believe Lemus was actually babysitting the boy but did not want to care for him anymore. (The Providence Journal)
3. Gov. Dan McKee, the R.I. Department of Transportation, and members of the state's congressional delegation broke ground on a $78 million project on the Washington Bridge that aims to address structural issues and cut travel times by about 40 percent. (WPRI.com)
4. The deadline is Friday for those seeking Attleboro area cultural grants to fund cultural and arts activities through Dec. 2022. (The Sun Chronicle)
5. The Big Blue Bug will be painted in a Hulk costume to kick off Rhode Island Comic Con 2021. (WJAR)

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Today's Pawtucket Daily is brought to you by Verizon, a Patch Brand Partner. Learn more about how Black and Mobile, a food delivery app created by two brothers, is helping put the spotlight on Black-owned restaurants.

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Today in Pawtucket:

• Capacity Committee - Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (11:00 AM)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.