🌱 Buy A Childcare Opportunity On Spring Street + Valley Talks

Happy Thursday, Woonsocket! Sylvia here. Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

A building at 120 Spring Street is going to be sold at auction. Also, the Museum of Work & Culture plans on virtual programs. Finally, a Woonsocket man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for murder.

First, today's weather:

A little afternoon rain. High: 45 Low: 41.

Here are the top five stories today in Woonsocket:

1. The former school at 120 Spring Street is going up for auction. Bidding starts January 18. The opening bid is $200,000. Zoned as R3, the property is going under the hammer as a childcare opportunity for an investor or owner/operator. (BizBuySell)
2. Valley Talks, a FREE biweekly program designed by the Museum of Work & Culture, will start on Zoom. The first episode is scheduled for January 9 at 1 PM. It will cover the Battle of The Gravestones & The Saylesville Massacre of 1934. The presenter will be the Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Patrick Crowley. (ABC)
3. We learned on the 13th that a 28-year-old Woonsocket man “admitted in Superior Court Monday to fatally shooting an associate over false information that man was a ‘snitch’.” He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The judge gave him a 50-year prison sentence. (Providence Journal)
4. The acting executive director of the local Housing Authority is cleaning house. Last Thursday, we heard that they fired the Authority’s legal counsel, who is a former city solicitor and had been working there since 2019. The reason given was “the convenience of the WHA.” Some members of the WHA had “concerns on how we’re proceeding.” Others distributed copies of the Agency’s procurement policies and suggested the acting executive director “should be free to operate without the board micromanaging.” The acting executive director explained that “there are things that have to be done that will be explained further down the road.” (Valley Breeze)
5. The Franklin PD announced Wednesday that it finished a two-month participation in “No Shave” November and December. They donated $1,640 to Cops For Kids With Cancer. Earlier this month, a Franklin family received a $5,000 check to help with medical costs. (Franklin Matters)

From our sponsor:

Hey Woonsocket, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Woonsocket:

• Invisible Zippers class at The Creative Sewing Studio (5:45 PM)
• Singles Night at the Olneyville Library (6:30 PM)
• Three Stooges Film Festival at the Stadium Theatre (7 PM)
• Paint And Vino offers Moonlit Dock (7 PM)
• The Comedy Connection presents Big Jay Oakerson (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know that ALL online payments to the Division of Taxation must be made through the new Taxpayer Portal? The old site for making payments will no longer be available. (Facebook)
• A Blackstone neighbor lost their cat near Glenn Road or Spring Street in the North End of Woonsocket. Did you see it? (Nextdoor)
• Our Bernon Cares neighbor lost their black cat on Carrington Street near Manville. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• Add your event

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

• Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at Woonsocket@Patch.com

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.