🌱 Wild 10's Game Winner + Priest On Leave Amid Allegations

Morning, Providence! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in Providence.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 27 Low: 6.

Here are the top three stories in Providence today:

1. A police sergeant who was convicted of beating a suspect is asking for his upcoming trial to be moved out of Providence. Providence Police Sgt. Joseph Hanley has cited anti-police protests in the city as the reason behind the request, claiming the protests will influence a potential jury from Providence County. Last year, the sergeant was convicted of assaulting Rishod Gore while arresting him on Tell St. in 2020 and was sentenced to one year of probation. (WPRI.com)
2. The Diocese of Providence has placed a priest on leave due to sexual abuse allegations from 40 years ago. Reverend Francis C. Santilli, assigned Pastor of St. Philip Parish in Greenville, has been placed on administrative leave due to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, which date back decades. The Diocese is cooperating with law enforcement and has stated that Santilli will not be able to exercise any of his duties as a public ministry. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))
3. A Providence man won a "Wild 10's" instant game earlier this week. Michael Wahl bought the winning ticket at the Main Street Market at 919 Main Street in Pawtucket on Monday. He took some time before claiming the $50,000 prize and says he will pay bills with the winnings and save the rest. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))

Today in Providence:

• Newport Seal Tour, At Save The Bay Center (2:00 PM)
• Planetarium Show, At Providence City Hall (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Do you have someone in your life who “lifts you up” when you're feeling low? Film a short video of you being lifted or lifting a special someone in your life for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the opening night of Officer and Gentleman on Feb. 18 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. (Instagram)
• Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum has named Providence College art history alum Maura Reilly as their new director. (Instagram)
• RISD Unbound Art Book Fair is accepting exhibitor applications until Thursday, Feb. 10 at 9 am. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.