🌱 Jessaline Andrade Held Without Bail + Underfunding For Schools

Up and at 'em, Pawtucket! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right. These are the most important things happening today in Pawtucket.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and not as cold. High: 30 Low: 10.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Pawtucket:

1. Jessaline Andrade, the 26-year-old Pawtucket woman who has been charged in connection to the fentanyl-related death of her two-year-old son, was held without bail at her initial court appearance on Monday. Andrade did not enter a plea for the charges of murder and neglect brought against her. Two others are also facing charges in the toddler's Dec. 10 death. (US News)
2. A new report shows that high-poverty Rhode Island K-12 public school districts, including Pawtucket and nearby Woonsocket, Central Falls, and Providence, consistently receive less funding than wealthier districts in the state. The report, authored by Rutgers University professor Bruce Baker and the Albert Shanker Institute, found that these school districts received 13.5 percent less education funding than wealthier ones. However, said Baker, these high-poverty districts should receive 10 percent more funding than their wealthier peers, "as the extra money can help level the playing field." (WPRI)
3. Pawtucket Representative Carlos Tobon (Democrat, District 58) spoke at the Transit Equity Day rally in Providence late last week to educate the public about the importance of transit equity. "As a Representative from Pawtucket where public transit is highly utilized, I firmly support efforts to instill transit equity by improving transit service across Rhode Island for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or physical ability," Tobon said in a speech. To that end, two other Pawtucket General Assembly members have proposed a bill that would provide free fares on Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses. (Uprise RI)

Today in Pawtucket:

• Take & Make Kits At Pawtucket Public Library (12:00 AM)
• Cupid Scavenger Hunt At Pawtucket Public Library (12:00 AM)
• Board of Trustees Meeting At Pawtucket Public Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Pawtucket, RI - Lost & Found Pets shared information about a white, orange, and black cat who is lost. Her name is Patches, and she was lost in Prospect Heights. (Facebook)
• Flatbread Company in Providence is hosting a benefit night to fundraise for YPI. Every large and small flatbread sold will contribute to the donation. (Facebook)
• Pawtucket Police Department is encouraging residents to drive sober and to go slow in the snow. Plus, if you're out and about, make sure to lock your cars. (Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.