What's Going Down in Providence This Week
It's Thursday, September 28. A day that should be sunny and breezy with just a hint of crisp Providence Autumn. Unfortunately, the 401 refuses to cooperate. Walking down Thayer is an exercise in willpower; cursing myself for wearing a skirt instead of ski pants, I shuffled to class miserably. Straight up, the climate here is freaky. This weekend was glorious and russet like a fall apple; come Monday, an unwarranted shift occurred. Again, we are forced to question why we attend school in this small and strange metropolis.In addition to the freaky weather patterns, Providence is known for its odd political goings-on. Consider Buddy Cianci, one of the longest-running mayors in history. He was arrested twice, elected twice, and nearly won again in 2014 after charges of both racketeering and assault. Allegedly, he beat his wife's lover with a fire poker and ground a cigar into his eye. If you're as morbidly fascinated by Buddy as I am, I definitely recommend checking out The Prince of Providence, available at the Brown Bookstore.Let's take a look at some other things, good and bad, making PVD the weird place it is this week:Meth Lab Debunked in Providence HiltonYes. You read that headline correctly. Right by Brown's boathouse, there were reports of four men cooking meth in America's favorite hotel chain. Upon entering the room, police noticed chemicals and a hazmat suit in addition to windows broken for ventilation. "Toxic fumes oozed into the hotel room like a sauna," one news station reported.Despite the initial claims that narcotics were involved, The Providence Journal reported that investigators have changed their course. With the assistance of the FBI and Secret Service, they have "ruled out narcotics" and "are focusing on a different, 'unusual' direction."
Providence Mobster Pleads GuiltyMobsters and Providence go together like peanut butter and jelly, gin and tonic, late night Andrews and drunk freshmen. Although Providence is no longer the Mafia capital of lore, vestiges of this colorful tradition do remain. According to The Boston Globe, Robert P. DeLuca Sr. (You couldn't come up better name for this guy. If you can, email us.) has pled guilty to derailing a murder investigation from 1993. Just for some background, in 1989, the FBI bugged the blood-oath induction of DeLuca into the New England Mafia.This past March, the remains of nightclub manager Steven A. DiSarro were discovered in Providence. Where were they discovered? Behind a complex owned by an alleged mobster, William L. Ricci, of course. After police investigation, two men, including former Mafia Boss “Cadillac Frank,” were charged with DiSarro's murder. Again, not making these names up.Basically, DeLuca (have you been able to keep up?) was accused of thwarting the original investigation. He intends to plead guilty to the "charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements for allegedly lying to federal investigators about the murder of DiSarro."To read the full indictment, click here.
And for some good news... City Sports Vacancy Will Be FilledThayer Street frequenters, rejoice! According to The Providence Journal, the gaping hole on Thayer will be redeveloped by Grossman Development Group. Apparently, Brown owns this lot? I had no idea.
And in even lighter news... a coyote is spared!A Rhode Island coyote has received some serious press lately. Described as possessing yellow eyes and lustrous hair, this coyote appears at the same spot in town every day. According to The Providence Journal, he has begun "relying on humans for food, sauntering down streets in broad daylight, and sunbathing on lawns even as they're being mowed." The community even gave him a name: Cliff.Earlier this month, a death warrant was issued on his behalf. According to The Providence Journal, the director of the Narragansett Coyote Study admitted that "it's sad. You get fond of the individuals because you know them. Now there's a face to this issue. That face is Cliff. He's an attractive animal. He looks like a dog. He acts like a dog."But there is a happy ending to this story! After community outcry, a social media campaign, and (most bizarrely) an international petition, Cliff the Coyote's death sentence was terminated and he will be transported to a zoo. 
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