🌱 Bad ARPA Spending Idea? + Lops Brewing’s Peach Habanero NEIPA

Happy Thursday, Woonsocket; and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

Some community organizers aren’t on board with building a public safety complex using ARPA funds. Also, there’s a Peach Habanero NEIPA at Lops. Finally, beware the National Grid caller scam!

First, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle in the p.m.. High: 54 Low: 48.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. Last year, the city encouraged resident input on ARPA spending. The top three responses were housing, infrastructure such as roads, and mental health services. Wednesday, we learned about the proposal to build a public safety complex with about half the money. A number of organizations spoke out against the proposal, saying that "despite the clear public calls for these crucial investments, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt and the Woonsocket City Council have allocated more ARPA money for new city council desk seats than for affordable housing, community support, and harm reduction services combined." (Survey, @blmripac)
2. On Tuesday, Lops Brewing introduced the first product in a single-keg series. The brewers take a batch of beer and see what they can do to it to make it even better. The first one is the “Bellevue to create a Peach Habanero NEIPA, bursting with peach and citrus with a solid but not overwhelming habanero burn.” (@LopsBrewing)
3. Last week, a Woonsocket resident warned neighbors of an ongoing scam. She received a call from “one scammer claiming to be from National Grid and needing access to her electric meter.” Because the caller made a mistake with the address and gave the one of St. Ann’s Church, nothing happened. However, “she worries that if they had gotten the address right, she might have let them into her house.” (The Valley Breeze)
4. If you’re partying in Warwick for St. Patrick’s Day, don’t drink and drive. The PD offers you a free ride anywhere in the city. Just call 401-681-4801, which “will be operational on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Friday.” Fifteen volunteers will be on standby to offer you transportation. (WJAR)
5. Rhode Island's Secretary of State wants business owners to boost their cybersecurity. They said Tuesday that they received warnings suggesting “Russian cyberattacks on U.S. businesses are 'imminent.'” “I strongly encourage all Rhode Island businesses to review their existing cybersecurity plans and to make any necessary changes or improvements to ensure their information, data, and assets remain protected,” Secretary Nellie Gorbea said. (Patch)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• Smashbox ShamROCKS Renegades (1:30 PM)
• Irish Step Dancers, Music & Corned Beef at Ciro’s Tavern (4 PM to 10 PM)

From my notebook:

• An Oakton Street neighbor is looking for a company/contractor that can fix garage doors…not crazy prices though. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.