Social Workers To Join Pawtucket Police + Tobon Opposes Wage Hike

Welcome to the Pawtucket Patch Daily — your quickest way to get caught up on the city's top news stories. I'm your host, 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: Possible light rain in the morning. High: 72, low: 66.

Here are the top stories today in Pawtucket:

1. Trauma-trained social workers to ride with Pawtucket Police.

A social worker from Rhode Island Family Service will accompany Pawtucket police officers on certain calls to provide "psychological first aid" to the victims of violent crime. The RIFS "Go Team" already works with several Rhode Island police departments. (Patch)

2. Providence Police ID latest gun homicide victim.

Sunday evening, a 20-year-old man was shot and killed at 482 Public St. in Providence. Monday, police identified the victim as Lucino Javier Arauz Bastardo. It's the latest in a spate of gun violence in Providence. In recent days, a man, 19, was shot and killed near Ford and Dexter streets; there was a shooting outside a hookah bar; a man was shot near a playground; and last Sunday a 14-year-old-girl was shot in the foot. (GoLocalProv)

3. A Woonsocket man was arrested in a major interstate meth bust.

The FBI announced Friday that eight people were arrested in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating between California and New England.
Investigators seized about 152 pounds of the drug from controlled purchases, motor
vehicle stops, and package seizures. Among those charged: Brian Keleman, 52, of Woonsocket. (ABC6)

4. A Pawtucket Democrat is speaking out against raising the minimum wage.

Rep. Carlos E. Tobon (District 58 in Pawtucket) wrote an opinion piece for the Providence Journal, and he says raising the minimum wage will hurt minority-run businesses. "One thing that many activists fail to realize ... is that local small businesses, like the corner mom-and-pop restaurant or bodega, are also struggling right now." Tobon said his parents were Colombian immigrants who walked across Mexico to make their way to the United States, "a place where hard work unlocks opportunity." (Providence Journal, subscription)

5. What's up with the Delta Variant? Sen. Jack Reed visits Central Falls.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed joined Mayor Maria Rivera and a professor from Brown University to discuss the Delta variant’s impact on Rhode Island. In Central Falls, where a pilot program made vaccines available back in December, roughly 53 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, while about 61 percent have received at least one dose. As a state, Rhode Island has vaccinated more than 70 percent of adults. (WPRI)

From our sponsor:

Today's Pawtucket Daily is brought to you by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Pawtucket!

Tuesday, July 13 in Pawtucket:

• Head over to Slater Park at 6 p.m. for a free children's performance. "Johnny the K" brings his 12-string guitar, collection of hats, and a strong message of respect and self-worth.
  The stage is between the park office and the Daggett House, across from the tennis courts.

Pawtucket Patch Notebook

• City of Pawtucket Mayor's Office: "The Pawtucket Credit Union will be hosting a job fair at their main office on July 21 from 4 to 6 p.m." (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.