Regional Briefs
71 teachers in Warwick face potential layoffs
WARWICK (AP) — Seventy-one teachers in Warwick have received news they may not be returning next school year
Warwick Teachers Union President Darlene Netcoh said layoff notices went out to dozens of elementary teachers, 12 special education teachers, and many other positions.
Netcoh said Friday that the cuts are proposed in five programs, including elementary science, math interventionists, and guidance counselors.
Warwick Superintendent Philip Thornton said because of budgetary considerations and school consolidation, it’s necessary to complete the layoff notices now.
Thornton said the exact number of layoffs will become public once the school committee has reviewed them at the May 15 meeting. In the past, teachers who received notices were often called back to work.
Authorities release name of man who died in Swansea crash
SWANSEA, Mass. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of the Rhode Island man who died in fiery early morning crash on a Massachusetts highway this week.
The Bristol district attorney’s office says 38-year-old John Souza, of Cranston, was driving west on Interstate 195 in Swansea just after 2 a.m. Thursday when his vehicle was struck by an SUV that was heading east when the driver lost control and crossed the median.
That person’s name hasn’t been released, but police say she is a 40-year-old Bristol, Rhode Island, woman.
Souza’s vehicle burst into flames and he was trapped inside. He died at the scene.
The crash, including what caused the woman to lose control, remains under investigation and no charges have been announced.
Authorities: Person struck, killed by train in Connecticut
WESTBROOK, Conn. (AP) — Amtrak is warning of service disruptions after someone was struck and killed by a train in Connecticut.
A state Transportation Department spokesman says someone was struck and killed on the tracks near the Westbrook station at about 7:30 a.m. Friday.
The person was struck by an Acela Express high-speed train en route to Boston from Washington.
Amtrak announced via Twitter that service between New Haven and Providence, Rhode Island, has been stopped “due. to a trespasser incident.”
No injuries were reported to the crew or the 96 passengers aboard the train. Amtrak police are investigating. The victim’s name was not immediately released.
Jurors in Mafia boss Salemme trial visit killing, burial sites
BOSTON (AP) — Jurors who will decide whether former New England Mafia boss Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme is guilty of having a federal witness killed have viewed the home where prosecutors say the killing took place.
Jurors traveled to Sharon, Massachusetts on Friday to see the home where prosecutors say Steven DiSarro was strangled in 1993. Jurors also went to Providence, Rhode Island, where DiSarro’s remains were found behind a mill building in 2016.
Prosecutors say Salemme watched as his son strangled DiSarro, and another man, Paul Weadick, held DiSarro’s feet. Prosecutors say they killed DiSarro to keep him from cooperating with authorities. Weadick is also on trial. Salemme’s son died in 1995. Salemme and DiSarro deny any involvement in the killing.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper addresses UMass graduates
AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — CNN anchor Jake Tapper addressed graduates at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s spring commencement. as the featured speaker at Friday’s ceremony for undergraduate students.
Tapper hosts a weekday program on CNN and serves as the network’s chief Washington correspondent. He’s known for his political coverage and has won awards for his reporting on the 2016 presidential election.