🌱Nancy Pelosi To Speak At Brown Commencement + New Tip Line For ATVs

Happy Saturday, Providence! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, a little rain; windy. High: 53 Low: 40.

Here are the top four stories today in Providence:

1. Later this month, Brown University will be honoring not only members of this year’s graduating class, but also the Class of 2020. Addressing those at the commencement exercises will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She is one of the nine people who will be receiving an honorary degree from the school. (Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News)
2. In an effort to combat the illegal use of ATVs, the Providence Police Department has launched a tip line, designed to streamline reports from residents regarding where people are riding and storing illegal ATVs, dirt bikes and off-road vehicles. The tip line will be staffed by an investigator Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who calls will remain anonymous. (WPRI.com)
3. It may sound like an unbelievable crime plot — one that you may watch on a detective TV series, but this story is true. Paul Diogenes, 50, of Providence pleaded guilty to wire fraud and assault of a federal officer. He defrauded businesses out of upwards of $83o,000 worth of lobster, sea bass, shrimp, scallops, filets, rib eye steaks, and wild boar. He used stolen banking information and a fake catering company to steal the goods, which he resold to local businesses, sometimes he reportedly sold the goods to the very businesses he has stolen the banking information from. When FBI agents tried to arrest Diogenes he rammed his car into several others and drove his car towards an FBI agent who narrowly escaped. Diogenes then speed away, taking refuge in Massachusettes where he was eventually arrested. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Justice Department. (Providence Patch)
4. On Jan. 9, 2017, Matthew Depina, of Pawtucket, was injured in a drive-by shooting near the Licht Judicial Complex. The city of Providence reached a $30,000 mediated settlement with Depina recently. Depina alleged in the suit he filed in 2020, that the city had breached its duty to protect him knowing of the violent threats he faced. He accused the Providence Police Department of failing to adequately protect him from the threat posed by Bucket East street gang. (The Providence Journal)

Today in Providence:

• Opening Day! PVD Artisans Market 10th Annual Season! (9:00 AM)
• Strength Training for Women at Roger Williams Park Conservancy (9:00 AM)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions in Downtown Providence! (9:00 AM)
• Planetarium Show at Providence City Hall (2:00 PM)
• Shen Yun shows at Providence PPAC (2:00 PM)
• An Evening of Reggae Music at Music Mansion (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Providence College: The Hypocrisy Of The Mission Statement at The Cowl (PC The Cowl)
• Rhode Island Foundation: "The Robert G. and Joyce Andrew College Scholarship Fund offers renewable scholarships for students attending several Rhode Island colleges and universities. Learn more about this unique opportunity from Neil Steinberg." (Facebook)
  
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hope Village: "Our cat Mona has been missing for a few hours, she is friendly, long/med haired grey and white cat, fluffy grey tail, about 11 pounds. We’re m on Greaton Drive. Please let us know if you’ve seen her! Thank you" (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Providence Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com