Big Meth Bust Nets Woonsocket Man + McKee Signs Gun Laws

Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know in Woonsocket today.

First, today's weather: Possible light rain in the morning. High: 71, low: 65.

Patch Pick: It will soon be illegal to release 10 or more helium balloons in Rhode Island.

Gov. McKee signed the bill that's designed to protect wildlife. Violators could see a $100 fine. The rules go into effect in November. (AP)

Here are the top stories in Woonsocket today:

1. A Woonsocket man was among those arrested in a major meth bust.

The FBI announced Friday that eight people were arrested in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating between California and New England.
Investigators seized about 152 pounds of the drug from controlled purchases, motor vehicle stops, and package seizures. Among those charged: Brian Keleman, 52, of Woonsocket. (ABC6)

2. Gov. Dan McKee signed two gun safety measures into law.

The first bill bans so-called "straw purchases," the practice of buying a gun on behalf of someone who cannot legally do so themselves. The second bans anyone from carrying a gun on school property, except for police officers, retired officers, and anyone contracted to provide school security. Unloaded guns are permitted if they are locked in a rack or container in a vehicle. (Patch)

3. Woonsocket restaurants received federal Restaurant Revitalization Funds.

WPRI has assembled a database of all Rhode Island businesses that received federal Restaurant Revitalization Funds as part of the government's pandemic response. In Woonsocket, awards ranged from $521,506 for the New Empire Buffet to $38,555 to the MCA Group for an unnamed "bar, saloon, lounge tavern & restaurant." (WPRI)

4. Woonsocket baseball legends Gabby Harnett and Nap Lajoie remembered.

Since 1933, five players from Rhode Island have been named MLB All-Stars: Clem Labine of Lincoln, Paul Konerko of Providence, Davey Lopes of East Providence, Dave Stenhouse of Westerly, and Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett, who was born in 1900 in Woonsocket as the eldest of 14 children.

"Nap Lajoie of Woonsocket, the greatest player to come out of Rhode Island, had long retired in 1933 but played and managed in the Addie Joss Benefit Game on July 24, 1911." (WhatsUpNewp)

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Today in Woonsocket

• Woonsocket Farmers Market - Health Equity Zone Woonsocket (3 p.m.)

Woonsocket Patch Notebook

• Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, Inc.: "Good morning! Miss Mya went to her new home yesterday. She is an older kitty and has been with us for a few months." (Facebook)
• Prog-rock legend Jon Anderson to perform in Woonsocket
  "Original Yes frontman Jon Anderson is hitting the road with the Paul Green Rock Academy for an 11-city tour of U.S. theaters that kicks off July 30 in Patchogue, New York, and wraps up August 20 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island." (Rolling Stone)

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Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woonsocket Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at Woonsocket@Patch.com.