Pawtucket Firefighter + Rent Relief + Covid Shots

Welcome to the Pawtucket Patch Daily — a quick way to get caught up on the city's top stories. I'm Mary Serreze. I can be reached at mary.serreze@patch.com. Feel free to send me your news tips, thoughts, and ideas.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 81, low: 65.

Here are the top stories today in and around Pawtucket:

1. A Pawtucket firefighter died at home Thursday night while surrounded by his family, the mayor's office confirmed. Public safety unions from across Rhode Island have been sending condolences to the Local 1261. (Pawtucket Patch)
2. An online GoFundMe for a Providence police officer has been taken down and money returned to donors. Officer Patrick Hourahan had been suspended without pay following a confrontation with a large group of neighbors. His supporters were raising money on his behalf. WPRI has the story.
3. RentReliefRI is helping struggling tenants pay their back rent and utility bills. Renters must meet certain criteria, and landlords can also apply. Rhode Island received $200 million in federal funds to pay for the program. Those seeking more information could head over to the Central Falls Housing Resource Fair on Saturday afternoon.
4. Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux has agreed to hire 13 firefighters to bring staffing levels up to 18 per shift. It's something the firefighters union has been pushing for years, reports The Sun Chronicle.
5. At the age of 10, Aaron James Jenkins was diagnosed with cancer. Yet he went through life with bravery and goodwill. The Cumberland resident died this week at the age of 25. (GoLocalProv)

July 24 in Pawtucket

• If you still need a COVID shot, head over to 434 Broadway on Saturday afternoon. Free food will be provided by The Elisha Project.
• Singer Maelo Ruiz will appear in Pawtucket Saturday night at the Internacional Club at 327 Barton St. Doors open at 9 p.m. Ruiz is celebrating Colombian Independence.
• It's Farmers Market Day at Blackstone Boulevard and Hope Street in nearby Providence.

Pawtucket Patch Notebook

• Pawtucket Arts Collaborative: "The entry period is now open for our upcoming UNTHEMED Fall Juried Show." (Facebook'
• Slater Park Fall Festival: "The Pawtucket Arts Festival goes 'En Plein Air' for its 23rd year!" (Facebook)

That's it. You're all caught up. If you like this newsletter, sign up and tell your friends. It's simple, but it keeps us rolling. Let me know about your community events. Have a good day out there. -Mary

About me: Maine native, UMass Amherst Regional Planning alum. Stick-shift driver, explorer. I believe in good government and the public's right to know. Interested in just about everything. I still like paper maps. I can be reached at mary.serreze@patch.com.