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Community Corner

🌱 E-Z Pass Truck Tolls Mistake + Prevent Voter Fraud

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Woonsocket.

Kathleen Stoddart, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Weekend, people of Woonsocket! Let's get this day started. Kathleen here with everything you need to know in Woonsocket today.

First, this weekend's weather:

Saturday: A couple of showers. High: 60 Low: 39.

Sunday: Partly sunny and cooler. High: 45 Low: 33

Here are the top stories today in Woonsocket:

  1. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee extended his executive order that requires masks be worn in schools through Jan. 8. It was set to expire on Dec. 11. The Governor is not ready to reinstate a statewide indoor mask mandate. But McKee said, "Everything is on the table" when it comes to mitigating the recent surge of COVID. (WPRI.com)
  2. Have you been charged at the toll gantries even though you're not a truck? The Rhode Island Department of Transportation admitted that 1,787 charges have been passenger vehicles.
    A RIDOT spokesperson said "The problem has been identified and is being fixed. Anyone who has reported it has been reimbursed and RIDOT is actively working on finding people who were erroneously charged and will reimburse them." RIDOT said it's working with the company that installed the gantries to fix the problem. So check your E-Z Pass account! If you take the E-ZPass right off your windshield and don't use it until needed, that's one solution. (WJAR)
  3. Rhode Island voters will soon elect new state officers in 2022. Then there's the 2024 presidential election, putting a sharp focus nationwide on voting rights and the potential for fraud. What's being done locally? Rhode Island joined 31 other states and the District of Colombia in the Electronic Registration Information Center- better known as ERIC. The nonprofit double-checks voter information across states, to prevent duplicates and flag potential problems.

Today in Woonsocket:

  • The Stadium Theatre presents the Royal Shakespeare Company's version of "A Christmas Carol," a new adaptation by David Edgar, based on the Charles Dickens classic. Saturday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. (Stadium Theatre)
  • Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, Inc. is having its last indoor yard sale before closing for the winter. 266 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI, Saturday 8 am - 1 pm and Sunday 10 am - 1 pm. This weekend it has 50% off of jewelry and 75% off most everything else. There will be a raffle and "fill a bag" specials. (8am)
  • RI Stage Ensemble (RISE) presents 'A Christmas Story: The Musical' Dec. 10-19. Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm and Sunday shows are at 2:00. (RISE)
  • Chan's presents "Through the Doors". And don't forget Karaoke tonight too! ( Chan's)
  • St Ann Arts and Cultural Center is having a Christmas Party tonight at 6pm. Dinner, Dancing, and Great Holiday Cheer. Tickets on Sale Now, $25

From my notebook:

  • Woonsocket St. Agatha Seniors has winners from the Dec. 1st meeting too numerous to list. Check it out if you were there! (Valley Breeze)
  • 5 New Properties for Sale in Woonsocket: (Woonsocket Patch)
    • 141 5th Ave: Price: $279,000 Size: 2,682 sq. ft., 2 beds, and 2 baths
    • 21 Avenue B Price: $250,000 Size: 1,344 sq. ft, 3 beds, and 1 bath
    • 88 Prospect Street Price: $450,000 Size: 5,104 sq. ft., 14 beds, and 4 baths
    • 78 Joffre Ave Price: $429,900Size: 5,005 sq. ft., 6 beds, and 3 baths
    • 216 Farm St. Price: $192,500Size: 1,260 sq. ft., 3 beds, and 1.5 baths
  • If you're thinking of adding a furry family member for Christmas, check out the Woonsocket Animal Shelter. They advertise their pets through the Patch and Petfinder. My 3 furbabies are all rescues. (Woonsocket Patch)
  • Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park says that labor activists over 100 years ago had this rallying cry, and demand: "Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will." (Facebook)
  • Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park has an old photograph of a Stage Coach operating in Rhode Island in 1860. The driver likely moved at approximately 5-10 miles per hour, depending on terrain. (Facebook)
  • Woonsocket Harris Public Library will have stories, songs, felt board stories, counting rhymes, rhythm-action plays, and more on Tuesday, December 14 at 10am. Send email to childrens@woonsocketlibrary.org and you will be sent the zoom code. (Facebook)
  • Woonsocket High School Music Department: Purchase your tickets today for Wed Dec 15 Christmas Concert Tickets are $5 in advance from music students or the main office. Tickets are $7 at the door. Children 10 and under are free. Masks are required. (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Bernon Cares seems to be the largest neighborhood using Nextdoor. I checked it out and it looks like a very cool way to communicate with your neighbors! (Nextdoor)
  • Joint Information Center HealthSource RI, State of Rhode Island can connect people with quality, low- or no-cost health coverage. Did you know that health coverage is required in the state of Rhode Island? (Nextdoor)

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That's it for this weekend! I'll be in your inbox Monday with another update.

Kathleen Stoddart has 3 children and 3 furbabies. She's immersed in flour and sugar this weekend!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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