🌱 Fire At Allied Auto Parts + Former Property Manager Arrested

Good day, neighbors, and happy National Dark Chocolate Day! It's me again, Sylvia, your host of the Woonsocket Daily.

Allied Auto Parts was on fire Monday morning. Also, a current Dedham official and former Woonsocket property manager was arraigned on wire fraud. Finally, Woonsocket Radio is running a new contest!

First, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover. High: 34 Low: 27.

Here are the top five stories today in Woonsocket:

1. There was a fire at Allied Auto Parts on Cumberland Hill Road Monday morning. All employees left the building safely. Respondents to the scene were the Woonsocket and Bellingham Fire Departments, as well as the Cumberland and Woonsocket EMS. (WPRI, ABC)
2. A Dedham, Massachusetts town official used to be the property manager of a Woonsocket condominium community. In that capacity, the 67-year-old is alleged to have “defrauded the company she once worked for” to the tune of about $46,500. The FBI arrested her Monday and she was arraigned on “five counts of wire fraud.” The suspect pleaded not guilty. It is noteworthy that she is “is a real estate tax broker, tax preparer, property manager and the chairperson of Dedham's Board of Tax Assessors.” (WPRI, Patch)
3. Woonsocket Radio is running its Cupid's Arrow Contest starting Monday. It will run through February 14. "Correctly guess how many arrows it takes Cupid to hit the heart of your 'Lover' & be entered to win a $100 GC. Guess wrong & still get chocolate!" Listen from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the 14th to hear the winner announced. (@WoonsocketRadio)
4. Leaders of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns are ready to pinch pennies except for “every state dollar to cities and towns is effectively a dollar in property tax relief.” Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt has gone on record starting that “the tangible property tax places enormous compliance burdens on small businesses and municipalities.” Current budget priorities are education funding formulae and funds for the “Municipal Infrastructure Grant program.” (Valley Breeze)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• Winter Warrior Challenge from Rhode Runner Inc (all day event)
• White Line Printing With Roger Lemelin at HeARTspot Art Center and Gallery (6 PM)
• Into the Rabbit Hole: A 5-Week Course on Creative Research at Mount Pleasant Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Woonsocket Animal Control Shelter is holding a dog found in the area of Surrey Ln. If you own this dog or know the owner, please contact Woonsocket Animal Control at 401-766-6571. (Facebook)
• The Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, Inc. is looking for a volunteer who could commit to plowing the parking lot this season. (Facebook)
• The RI Hospitality Association wants you to sign the ALCOHOL TO GO PETITION! https://p2a.co/eP92b3h Restaurants have proven that Alcohol to Go makes sense for Rhode Island! Many establishments have come up with fun, creative ways to replicate a “night-out” experience. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Youth and High School Rugby Camp! (February 22)
• Add your event

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

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at Woonsocket@Patch.com

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you around.

— 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.