🌱 Shoutout To Emma Harrop + G. Edgar Parenteau Honored

Good morning, Woonsocket, and happy National Love Your Pet Day! It's Sunday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today.

A high school senior supports Books Are Wings. Also, a posthumous honor for G. Edgar Parenteau. Finally, K-9 Rex has passed away.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 35 Low: 28.

Here are the top five stories today in Woonsocket:

1. A shoutout to North Smithfield HS Senior Emma Harrop! For her senior project, she has organized a book drive for Books Are Wings in Pawtucket. The book drive will continue until March 4, and “donations of gently used and new children’s books may be dropped off at any of the three North Smithfield public schools, or the North Smithfield Public Library.” (The Valley Breeze)
2. On Thursday, Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt unveiled a plaque honoring G. Edgar Parenteau. He received posthumous recognition for “his service to the city and ongoing legacy.” “His character was reflected in the honors he was awarded, including the Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public Service Award for integrity, efficacy and leadership, and the Volunteer Appreciation Award for his work with the Woonsocket Colts Baseball League.” (The Valley Breeze)
3. The Rhode Island State Police announced Friday that K-9 Rex has passed away. A working canine member of the PD since 2011, you might have seen him providing “security for people at venues like Gillette Stadium, and the Rhode Island State House, as well as at the Boston Marathon.” (ABC)
4. A 79-year-old priest who “served at churches in North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and Cumberland” was “to stand trial on sexual assault charges.” However, we learned last week Friday that his dementia renders him incompetent to stand trial. He would be “unable to understand or assist in the proceedings against him” an expert testified. (AP News)
5. "Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II" is an exhibit currently on display at the Museum of Work and Culture. It will be on the premises until March 5. It has been described as “yet another tool to dig into stories that for some families have been buried deep.” When you go, you will see “Smithsonian posters exploring the history of Japanese national and Japanese-American incarceration, expanding the story with illustrations and video.” (The Providence Journal/paywall)

Today in Woonsocket:

• FC Bayern Match Day in the Ratskeller (9 AM)
• Church Service and Free Luncheon at Firm Foundation Christian Church (10 AM)
• Valley Talk #4: Before Hollywood. There was Vaudeville. (online) (1 PM)
• Violin River at the Met (4 PM)
• Cosmic Factory/Shawn Tuttle/Beth Killian With Poetry at The Parlour Providence (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is wondering if you have fifteen minutes to spare this weekend? Over the next few days, people worldwide will be connecting to birds, nature, and each other through the Great Backyard Bird Count. To get started, decide where you will watch birds. (Facebook)

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Events:

• Youth and High School Rugby Camp! (February 22)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 22)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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.