🌱 RIP Coach Bill Belisle + Child Molester Sentenced To 14 Years

Happy Friday, people of Woonsocket, and happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day! Here's everything you need to know going on in Woonsocket today.

A beloved HS hockey coach has died. Also, a child molester is going away for 14 years. Finally, the J.W. Hinson Scholarship Dinner was postponed.

First, today's weather:

Becoming windier and colder. High: 37 Low: 6.

Here are the top stories in Woonsocket today:

1. Bill Belisle, the beloved former Mount Saint Charles Academy HS hockey coach and member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, died Wednesday at the age of 92. During his tenure, he led the team to 32 state championships. In addition, on his watch, over 20 players were drafted by NHL teams. It is interesting to note that Belisle was a graduate of the school. He retired in 2019. (Western Mass News)
2. A 53-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years “on multiple counts of child molestation.” His victims were boys under 14, whom he assaulted at his home on Park Avenue. Instead of pleading guilty, he entered a plea of “nolo contendere to three counts of first-degree child molestation.” (ABC)
3. Woonsocket’s MLK Community Committee announced Tuesday that the J.W. Hinson Scholarship Dinner has been postponed. However, the Sunday Service with the Rev. Natasha Gordon of Ebenezer Baptist Church is still going forward. “Masks and social distancing will be in effect.” (FB)
4. Recently, we reported on Sen. Melissa Murray, who visited the Woonsocket DHS office at 219 Pond Street Jan. 5. Thursday, we learned that a spokesperson for the DHS released a statement, saying that “the agency is working to complete its in-person reopening as quickly as possible.” As of last week, “DHS staff have been available at all regional sites to receive and provide documents and assist if customers are unable to download them online.” (The Valley Breeze)
5. The City announced Wednesday that there will be no trash or recycling pickup on Monday due to Martin Luther King Day. “Trash and recycling collection pick-up for the week of January 17th to January 21st will be delayed by one day.” If you have an overage of recyclable trash, you may bring it to 943 River Street. (City of Woonsocket)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• Black Bar Grille Reopens (4 PM)
• Public Skating at the Thayer Arena (5 PM to 7 PM)
• Critters Live The Surprise Party at the Garden Grille (6 PM)
• Silvia Sisson Medium/Clairvoyant hosts Guided Meditation (7 PM)
• Rent – 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Woonsocket Parks & Recreation announces that Little League is having in-person registrations. (Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning 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.