Around Rhode Island

New push to lift current bird ban at campsites

— A yearslong fight over letting a cockatoo named Tootsie onto Rhode Island campgrounds might have finally reached a compromise.

A proposal to let some exotic pets onto state-owned campsites was vetoed in 2012 by then-Gov. Lincoln Chafee. Another attempt stalled in the legislature in 2015.

Now, Democratic state Rep. Evan Shanley said he's found a way to make it work after meeting with the state veterinarian and environmental officials. His bill would allow cockatoos, parakeets and other birds in the parrot family onto campgrounds but not gerbils, turtles and goldfish, which a previous version of the bill sought to allow.

"I have no idea why gerbils, turtles and goldfish were included," Shanley said.

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on the bill Thursday. The proposal would allow up to two birds in the parrot family per campsite, so long as the birds stay inside a recreational vehicle or camper.

Warwick resident Tom Wharton has been fighting for permission to let his 23-year- old cockatoo accompany him to campgrounds around the state, as dogs and cats are allowed to do.

"She loves the outdoors," Wharton said. "There's no logical reason why she can't accompany me."

Shanley, a Warwick Democrat, took up Tootsie's cause this year. It was originally championed by his Republican predecessor, former Rep. Joe Trillo.

Wharton said he used to like to take Tootsie to a campsite near the ocean, but they were kicked out following complaints.

"She's safe, she's quiet, she loves children," Wharton said. "She's not a nuisance in any way. She's just a bird."

Coyote shot to death had illegal trap on leg

— Rhode Island officials say a coyote shot to death on Aquidneck Island had an illegal trap attached to its leg.

Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management said the coyote was killed legally by a property owner as the animal tried to get into a chicken coop.

But officials are investigating who might be responsible for setting the leg-hold trap that was found on the animal.

Another coyote ensnared in an illegal trap was killed in March by the Department of Environmental Management near Third Beach. The use of an illegal trap carries a maximum fine of $500 and a year in prison.

Local flooding still a threat after rain, snowmelt

— The latest storm to hit New England brought the threat of flooding, instead of snow, as heavy rain swept across the region on Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued flood advisories and watches for portions of the region as the rain began falling across the six states. There were a few flood warnings but it appeared that the region could be spared the worst, said Margaret Curtis from the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. "It's beginning to seem less likely that we'll see widespread flooding," she said.

Rainfall, which was heavy at times, postponed opening day for minor league baseball teams the Portland Sea Dogs and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. The Boston Red Sox-Pirates game at Fenway Park also was postponed.