🌱Restitution Paid For Years Behind Bars + ATV, Bike Riders Stay Out!

Good day, people of Providence! Karena Garrity here with your Friday Providence Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 59 Low: 33.

Here are the top five stories in Providence today:

1. A new law was passed last year that anyone who has been wrongfully convicted of a crime can receive $50,000 from the state of Rhode Island for each year they have spent in jail. Paul Courteau, 64, who was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 1981 served 15 years in prison, for a crime he didn’t commit. Courteau is the first beneficiary of this new law's restitution. He received $557,945 on March 31 for his time behind bars. (WPRI.com)
2. A senior at Classical High School in Providence, Mariama Bandabaila won the 2022 Poetry Out Loud state championship. Now she will move on to the regional competition on May 1 and the national one on June 5, where she'll represent Rhode Island. Congratulations Mariama! (Providence Patch)
3. Five finalists were chosen from 97 essays and video submissions for the Transform Rhode Island Scholarship. They were surprised by the news from the Papitto Opportunity Connection Foundation. The students had to answer the question, “What would you do if you were given $1 million to make RI’s communities of color better and stronger?” On May 26, the winner, along with second and third place, will be chosen by three national judges. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))
4. These Providence area pets need new homes. Are you looking to adopt? (Providence Patch)
5. At a press conference Thursday, Providence Police along with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and several public safety officials sent a message to ATV and dirt bike riders not to come to the city of Providence. If they do, there will be consequences! (GoLocalProv)

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Today in Providence:

• Discovery Tykes - Providence City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Play a Game Family Day! - Providence Community Library (2:00 PM)
• Afterschool Movie - Providence Community Library (3:30 PM)
• Spanish & English Homework Help! - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Virtual Model Building - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• WALKING CLUB - Providence Community Library (4:30 PM)
• "Halfway to Halloween" Friday Night Flea (5:00 PM)
• First Friday Concert - Music Mansion (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "Ever had an overly friendly neighbor? How about one that weighs 400 pounds and walks on all fours? Black bears are naturally shy animals, but will gladly invite themselves over for a midnight snack in your backyard! Black bears are naturally shy animals, but will gladly invite themselves over for a midnight snack in your backyard! They are notorious bird feeder thieves that will strike during their active season, from April 1st to November 1st." (Facebook)
  
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Permits go on sale April 1. " (Facebook)
• Providence Performing Arts Center: "In just two weeks, the national tour of Ain't Too Proud Musical - the Life and Times of The Temptations electrifies the PPAC stage, April 12 - 17!" (Facebook)
  

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.