Regional Briefs
University of Rhode Island student dies over the weekend
SOUTH KINGSTOWN (AP) — The University of Rhode Island says a student suddenly died over the weekend.
The university says campus police and emergency medical Services were called to the Zeta Tau Alpha house at 4 Fraternity Circle in South Kingstown around 8:30 a.m. Saturday for a medical emergency. Officials say the student was transported to an area hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Zeta Tau Alpha says the student was its chapter president, Dominique Franco.
URI says campus police and the Rhode Island State Police are investigating the student’s death, alongside the Rhode Island attorney general’s office. Authorities say foul play is not suspected. The university says it is offering support services through the school’s Division of Student Affairs, Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Greek Life and Health Services.
Average price of gas in down 1 cent per gallon
PROVIDENCE (AP) — The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Rhode Island has dropped 1 cent in the past week.
AAA Northeast said Monday that its weekly price survey found self-serve regular averaging $2.29 per gallon.
AAA says gas prices in Rhode Island are now lower than the national average. The current price is 2 cents lower than the national average, and it is 30 cents lower than the in-state price a year ago. AAA says prices may rise in the coming weeks due to the start of refinery maintenance season and the increased demand that comes with milder weather.
AAA found self-serve, regular selling for as low as $2.12 per gallon to as high as $2.49.
Governor calls for investing in parks, beaches
LINCOLN (AP) — Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo says Rhode Island needs to invest more in its state parks and beaches.
Raimondo and her husband, Andy Moffit, joined Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit and environmental advocates at Lincoln Woods State Park Monday. Raimondo’s budget proposal seeks to add $1.5 million to DEM’s parks division for eight new employees.
To raise that money, DEM has said it’s considering increasing beach parking and campground fees. The amount would be determined through a regulatory process.
Raimondo’s office says long-term investments are needed due to budget and staffing cuts at DEM in recent years, combined with increasing visitor use, longer seasons, aging facilities and expanded responsibilities.
Congress seeks to address opioid addiction
LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts lawmaker is among a group of more than three dozen first-term members of the U.S. House pledging to tackle the nation’s deadly opioid addiction crisis.
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan says she has joined the bipartisan Freshmen Working Group on Addiction. The Lowell Democrat says her state has seen overdose death rates above the national average and notes that Americans are more likely to die from opioids than from car crashes.
The working group was founded by Rep. David Trone, a freshman Democrat from Maryland. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Connecticut Democrat, also is a member.
The group plans to meet regularly to hear from experts and those affected by addiction. They also plan to promote legislation and policies that address the crisis and visit to research and treatment facilities.
Man accused of kidnapping son found in Mexico
BOSTON (AP) — Police in Massachusetts say a man accused of kidnapping his 1-year-old son has been located in Mexico.
Lowell Police said Monday that 37-year-old Fillemom De Lima, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, is being held by Mexican authorities at an immigration detention center.
De Lima and his son were last seen on Jan. 9. Lowell Police and the FBI traced him to Mexico City.
The boy was reunited with his mother, Mahalia Alexander-Paggi, Sunday night at Logan International Airport in Boston. It’s unclear whether De Lima is represented by an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Police say if he made it to Brazil, as police believe he intended to, they may not have been able to reunite the boy with his mother. Several federal agencies helped with the investigation.
Investment adviser fined over real estate scheme
BOSTON (AP) — Secretary of State William Galvin says the state has entered into a consent order with a Massachusetts investment adviser agent accused of orchestrating a complex real estate scheme.
Galvin said Monday Thomas Riquier and his employer, United Planners Financial Services of America, will jointly make offers of rescission and restitution to investors. He says Riquier will pay a $50,000 fine, while United Planners must pay $100,000 for not supervising Riquier.
The administrative complaint filed by Galvin’s Securities Division last year stated Riquier solicited money from elderly residents of the North Shore and used it to purchase property in Rowley, Massachusetts.