Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Hooded, Masked Man Arrested On Gun Charges: Providence Police

Coming up: Moth Night on the Providence Patch calendar

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Saturday September 19th Patch AM
Saturday September 19th Patch AM (David M.)

Hi there, Providence! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Providence detectives link suspicious masked trio to gun and drug bust
  • How serious are the new health violations in Providence school cafeterias?
  • What Providence's new $470 million school budget means for your child

Also on today's calendar: Double Book Launch with Mark Binder and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, David M.!

Today's riddle: What do you call cows dancing in the dark 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Cooler with clouds and sun, with a high of 68 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy and cool; p.m. rain, temps: high: 63, low: 58.
  • Monday: Cloudy with occasional rain, with a high of 66 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Hooded, Masked Man Arrested On Gun Charges: Providence Police (patch.com) — Providence police say a traffic stop near Academy Avenue and Kepler Street led to the arrest of a masked, hooded man on serious gun charges and another on a marijuana charge. Detectives recovered a 9 mm pistol, about 83 grams of suspected marijuana, a scale and zip ties, and the police chief praised officers for acting quickly to prevent a potentially violent situation.
   

2. Providence School and Elected Officials Call for… (golocalprov.com) — Parents in Providence should know that recent health inspections found violations, including rodent feces, in nearly one-third of Providence Public Schools' cafeterias, prompting urgent calls for action from local and state leaders. Officials, including the school district and Mayor Brett Smiley's office, say they're working with health authorities and vendors on extra pest control, walkthroughs, and corrective plans to restore confidence in school meals.
   

3. Providence School Finance Committee Recommends 2026-2027 Local Budget (news-usa.today) — Providence's school finance committee has endorsed a 2026–2027 local budget that steers about $470.8 million in city funding to the public schools, including $8 million in new revenue and a $2 million charter adjustment. For local families, this plan shapes everything from multilingual and special education services to transportation, building upkeep, and the district's long-term $1 billion facilities modernization push.
   

4. Providence Now Uses Passport Parking for All Transactions (news-usa.today) — If you park on Providence streets, you now need to handle permits, meter payments, and tickets through the Passport Parking app or its website, as the city fully phases out paper-based systems. Residents must create an account, register their license plates, and upload documents for neighborhood permits, while officials weigh convenience against access for those without smartphones or credit cards.
   

5. Morales wants to move PVDFest back to June (wpri.com) — Providence mayoral nominee David Morales says he wants to move the city's free PVDFest arts festival back to June, arguing summer dates work better for families and weather. He'd also like to expand the downtown footprint, while his Republican opponent David Talan prefers to keep the current September schedule, giving voters a clear contrast on a signature city event.
   

📸 Around Providence

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📸 February 17, 2026, Warwick. —David M. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Providence

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday September 19
  • Moth Night →
    Peace and Plenty Garden, 91 Peace St., Providence
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

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

  • Spectrum Says 'HI!' to 11+ Million Homes and Businesses Across Markets Including Rhode Island —Heidi Vandenbrouck Read on Patch
  • Honoring 50 Years of the Ramones —Tony Jones Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Hickory, NC, has been safely reunited with their family after 23 hours, 56 minutes. Message from Finder: "This pet… (Nextdoor Mount Pleasant)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Alfie, a cat who went missing in Providence, RI, has been safely reunited with their family after 7 days, 13 hours. Message from Owner: "Alfie… (Nextdoor Mount Pleasant)
  • TPG Hotels Resorts and Marinas posted a job opening for BQT Houseperson in Providence. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Store Maintenance Team Member (Full & Part Time) in Providence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Providence here.

Ok Providence! 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: Night Moo-s (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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