🌱Providence Tenants Fed Up + Elementary School Put On Lock Down

Hey, neighbors! Karena Garrity here with today's copy of the Providence Daily.

First, today's weather:

Enjoy the day, it will be sunny to partly cloudy. High: 36 Low: 26.

Here are the top five stories in Providence today:

1. Providence tenants are fed up with living conditions, siting mold, mushroom growths, temperature control issues, trash in the halls, the stench of urine and more. Is this a side effect of the pandemic or just shoddy landlords? (The Providence Journal)
2. Three hundred and fifteen Providence School teachers were sent "displacement" notices on Friday. The letters were reported not to be termination letters, however, the teachers will have to apply for new jobs within the district unless they resolve certification issues. (The Providence Journal)
3. George J. West Elementary School was put on lockdown Friday after a person was able to enter the building without authorization. The school took immediate action when an “unauthorized adult” was spotted in the hallway of the school. (WPRI.com)
4. Ernest Almonte has been named to the executive director’s position at Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns. He will be replacing Brian Daniels and will assume his new role on October 1. (GoLocalProv)
5. The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity named Ebony Manning the new Brown University Title IX coordinator. She comes to Brown from Connecticut College, where she was the associate dean for equity and compliance programs and Title IX coordinator. (The Brown Daily Herald)

Today in Providence:

• Providence School of Music - Music Mansion (10:00 AM)
• Adventures in STEM during February School Vacation (10:00 AM)
• Providence Flea Valentine Markets! (11:00 AM)
• Planetarium Show - Providence City Hall (2:00 PM)
• UNAVAILABLE - Music Mansion (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Rhode Island State Police: "Are sad to report the passing of K-9 Rex who served with Trooper Daniel Gazzola since 2011. K-9 Rex was deployed on countless missions during his career and helped provide security for many hundreds of thousands of people." (Instagram)
• Providence High School: "With heavy hearts, Providence High School announces that former principal, Sr. Lucille Dean, SP, passed away peacefully at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning. (Instagram)
• Providence College: "Register now for the inaugural Murphy Healy Lecture in Irish Culture with featured guest Christine Kinealy, founding director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute and an internationally-known educator and scholar of Irish history." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "DEM to Hold Public Workshop on Proposed Freshwater Fishing, Falconry, and Hunting Regulations on Feb. 28." (Facebook)
• Crossroads Rhode Island: "You're invited! Join us at one of 3 upcoming meetings to learn more about our plans for new housing on the vacant parking lot at Summer and Conduit Streets. Live in the Providence?" (Facebook)
• Providence Flea: "SUNDAY FUNDAY! Make sure to get out and flea today from 11 am - 3 pm at the farm-fresh RI Market Hall. From vintage + vinyl to bowls + babka, the 70+ indie vendor lineup is better than ever." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Foundation: "With a firm belief that education and jobs skills training could empower and change lives for members of Rhode Island’s communities of color, Barbara Papitto established the Papitto Opportunity Connection. Read more about the POC here." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Youth and High School Rugby Camp! (February 22)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 22)
• How to Make Decisions in Divorce? – Vesta's N. Attleboro/ Providence Hub (February 23)
• Virtual Info Session - Your Questions About Career Training (February 23)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 24)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 25)
• Caregiver Support Group/Guardianship (February 26)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Providence Singers present Bach Magnificat (March 5)
• Add your event

Loving the Providence Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: 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.