🌱 Phyllis A. Thomas Park Gets A Cleanup? + From Sacred Heart To Apts.

Happy Tuesday, Woonsocket; today is National Garlic Day! Here's everything happening in Woonsocket today.

A neglected park might get some attention. Also, Nexus got approval to build luxury apartments in a former church building. Finally, the PD has a new canine that is undergoing training!

First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 54 Low: 39.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. In the past, we called the spot off Diamond Hill Road and St. Leon Avenue the Phyllis A. Thomas Park. At this time, it is filled with dumped trash and remnants of homeless encampments. We learned on Monday that it is on the radar of the Public Works Director, which means that cleanup might be coming. (The Call)
2. We learned in December that Nexus Property Management “acquired the former Sacred Heart Parish church building in Woonsocket, with plans to transform the property into luxury apartments.” On Thursday, the Woonsocket Zoning Board met and approved the apartment development. “There will be 32 total apartments built inside the church, both one-bedroom, and studios targeted toward working professionals who may have money to spend on housing, but are priced out of homeownership.” (PBN, The Valley Breeze)
3. The Woonsocket PD has a new member. It is an adorable two-year-old German Shepard named Maverick. The dog lives with his handler, Officer Mowry. Both dog and handler are getting ready for their certification. Maverick has been described as “happy to exist in the world.” (The Call)
4. Mark your calendars! The “Woonsocket Rotary Club will hold a Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Holy Trinity Parish, 1409 Park Ave.” This event gives kids the opportunity to see work trucks and other vehicles up close, touch them, and even climb inside. To create a sensory-friendly environment for those easily overstimulated, there will be a sensory hour from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. (The Valley Breeze)
5. If you’re planning to travel along the I-295 on and after Friday, be aware that the “Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will shift lanes and close the right travel lane of I-295 in both directions where the highway passes over Stillwater Road, just south of Exit 15 (Route 7/Douglas Pike).” This closure is planned to last until July. (What'sUpNewp)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• Lead Generation Masterclass (online) (12 PM)
• Sea Turtles at Paint and Vino (2 PM)
• Tomaquag Museum Educational Visit at the Warwick Public Library (2 PM)
• Providence Children's Film Festival Screening: "On These Grounds" at the Providence Community Library (5:30 PM)
• Musical Bingo at Ciro's Tavern (7 PM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know that there are two National Park Service sites in Rhode Island? Join Roger Williams National Memorial for the final “Roger Williams Letters” program on Wednesday, April 20 from 6:30-7:00 PM. This virtual talk is free. (Facebook)
• Are you doing some spring-cleaning? The Community Care Alliance has a wishlist that might just take some of these things off your hands. (CCA)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.