🌱 Pawtucket's Rep. Johnston Passes Away + RI Holiday Celebration

Good morning, Pawtucket! Happy Thanksgiving! Please know that, like most of you, I will be taking the day off to enjoy the festivities, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of the slight pause in the Pawtucket Daily, and we'll be back to our normal routine Saturday morning!

First, today's weather:

Milder. High: 55 Low: 41.

Here are the top stories today in Pawtucket:

1. Countless Rhode Island leaders and residents poured out their condolences to the family of Representative Raymond H. Johnston Jr., who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 61. Representative Johnston, a longtime Pawtucket resident and former Democratic City Committee member, served District 61 in the House from 2011 to 2020 and was the Deputy Majority Leader. The St. Ray's alumnus was well-known for giving back to Pawtucket and volunteered his time with the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club, Pawtucket Youth Soccer, and St. Leo's CYO basketball. (State of Rhode Island General Assembly)
2. A state-wide holiday celebration and tree lighting is scheduled for Dec. 2 at the Rhode Island State House. Governor Dan McKee invites Rhode Islanders to join him and the First Family for festivities beginning at 5 p.m. They will light the Christmas tree at approximately 6:15 p.m. (What'sUpNewp)
3. Mayor Donald R. Grebien invites the Pawtucket community to attend the annual Mayor's Holiday Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 214 Roosevelt Avenue. The long-standing tradition is free and open to all city residents and is sponsored by the donations of food, money, and volunteer help from local businesses and individuals. (City of Pawtucket)
4. Due to a "technical error," the Rhode Island Department of Health falsely and accidentally notified over 3,000 individuals that they were "close contacts" to someone positive for COVID-19. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start your day. Have a very happy Thanksgiving! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. 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.