Pawtucket Patch Daily: Vibe Lounge, WooSox/PawSox, and Vicente's

Rise and shine, Pawtucket!

This is the debut edition of the Pawtucket Patch Daily — the quickest way to get caught up on the biggest news and events in town. I'm Mary C. Serreze, your intrepid newsletter curator. I hope you'll become a regular reader. If you like what we're doing each day, tell your friends to subscribe. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

I can always be reached at mary.serreze@patch.com. Send me your hot news tips, suggestions, and ideas. Is your community group planning an event? What do people care about in your neighborhood? Does anyone deserve a shout-out? Let me know.

In today's Daily, we'll look at plans by Vicente’s Supermarket to open an international grocery store in town, talk about troubles at the Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar, and ask (via the Boston Globe): Are PawSox fans "bummed out and bitter?” What’s the plan, now that McCoy Stadium is sitting empty?

First, today's weather:

It’s not summer yet, so grab a jacket. Partly sunny, high of 64, low of 44, wind gusts up to 27 mph. You know the routine. It's New England.

Here are the top five stories in Pawtucket today:

1. Last month a 32-year-old man was shot and injured outside the Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar on Broad Street. Police said they were met with a “hostile crowd” at the scene. Now the nightclub’s liquor license is at stake. The Board of License Commissioners plans a virtual public hearing tonight. Read all about it — and get the skinny on how to tune in via Zoom — on Patch.

2. Are PawSox fans "bummed out and bitter?" Can the city's economic development strategy "fill the void?" It's opening day for the WooSox and an open wound for PawSox faithful. McCoy Stadium sits empty — but The Bucket is chin-up and looking to the future, reports Edward Fitzpatrick for the Boston Globe.

3. The valedictorian and salutatorian of Tolman High School are expressing gratitude, telling their stories, and sharing their plans. The two top students of this year’s graduating class — Melany Veliz and Hanatha Konte — spoke with reporter Melanie Thibeault at The Valley Breeze.

4. State Treasurer Seth Magaziner stood beside Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien just last month to celebrate the Winters Elementary School groundbreaking. Turns out he’s been popping up all over the place. Magaziner, with $1.3 million in his campaign chest, is probably running for governor, and is definitely looking for as much free publicity as he can get. Katherine Gregg at The Providence Journal has the story.

5. The Brockton-based, family-owned Vicente's Supermarket is coming to Pawtucket. The store features international foods, with a tilt toward Cape Verde. A job fair is planned for June 5. Read about it on Patch.

Today in Pawtucket:

• The Empowerment Factory is hosting an online creativity contest with the theme “What is Kindness?” The contest lasts throughout the month of May, and kids in grades K-12 are invited to upload their artwork to win games and prizes. Learn more on Facebook. The Empowerment Factory is a Pawtucket-based non-profit.

• The Pawtucket School Committee meets tonight at 6:30. The agenda and instructions for joining can be found online.

• The Historic District Commission, the Parks Commission, and the Water Supply Board all meet today or tonight. And don’t forget the special hearing on the Vibe Lounge before the Board of License Commissioners!

• In Varsity Softball, Central High School meets Shea/Tolman at Aldo Freda Field at 3:45 p.m. At 4 p.m., Central JV Baseball meets East Providence at Joe Williams Field. Tolman/Shea Boys Varsity Volleyball heads to Cranston West for a 6:30 p.m. game.

• On the horizon for teens: Get Vaccinated! Students ages 16 and over can get their COVID-19 shots right here in Pawtucket. Clinics are scheduled at Shea High School on May 13 and Tolman High School on May 18. Vaccinated students will be given a voucher for food trucks parked outside set up as a “block party.” The City of Pawtucket has the deets.

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Pawtucket. We'll see you in your inbox tomorrow - have a great day.

-Mary

About me: Southern Maine native, UMass Amherst Regional Planning alum. Stick-shift driver, explorer. Interested in just about everything. Outdoorsy. I still like paper maps. Talk to me! mary.serreze@patch.com.