WaterFire Torchbearers+Unemployment Numbers+School Mental Health

Happy Wednesday, Woonsocket! Here's everything you need to know going on in Woonsocket today.

WaterFire torchbearers are identified. Also, unemployment is a little up, but Patch might be able to help. Finally, schools will get funds to boost mental health services.

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First, today's weather:

Possible light rain overnight. High: 82 Low: 68.

Currently, Patch does not have a local curator for Woonsocket (or Pawtucket!). However, in the interim, we still want to make sure you are up-to-date on all of your local happenings, so I am here to fill in! Although not a local, I will work diligently to keep everyone in the community informed. And if you are interested in becoming the new local Woonsocket or Pawtucket curator, apply here.

Here are the top stories today in Woonsocket:

1. Vanessa Hampson, ER Nurse at the Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, and Henrietta White-Holder, founder and CEO of Higher Ground International, will be torchbearers at the WaterFire procession. (10 WJAR)
2. Woonsocket’s unemployment rate is seeing a slight uptick. Last year, in September, it was at 14%. It hit a low this June with 6.20%. However, by July, the figure went back up to 7.10%. On the bright side, Patch has connected with ZipRecruiter to help you find jobs in and around Woonsocket! (Y Charts)
3. RI schools get $1.8M to boost mental health services. The goal is to put the money "toward training school workers to detect mental health issues, boosting awareness of mental health issues among students and connecting providers to students with behavior health needs." Educators and administrators hope this influx of cash will help with a possibly pandemic-related mental health crisis. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))
4. "Big Short" investor Michael Burry makes CVS Health (CVS) one of the top three healthcare stocks in his portfolio. (Stock News)
5. Aetna, a subsidiary of Woonsocket, RI-based CVS Health, canceled its business relationship with Ontrak. Cigna followed suit recently. As a result, the behavioral health and telehealth company is working to reinvent itself. (L.A. Business Journal)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• WSC Meeting - In Person @ Hamlet MS; virtual option - Meeting ID meet.google.com/giv-rypw-oad Phone ... (7:00 PM)
• WSC Meeting - Woonsocket Schools (7:00 PM)

Woonsocket Patch Notebook

• Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, Inc.: "Gidget just celebrated her first birthday in her forever home with the director of the sanctuary and her family. She was so tiny and had to be bottle-fed when she came to us. When it came time for her to be available for adoption, they ju..." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Society of CPAs: "RISCPA’s award winning workforce training program is designed to help incumbent workers advance in their careers or help #accounting and #finance professionals get back to work – this class will sell out – register today!! KLR- Certified..." (Facebook)
• RI Hospitality Association: "RI Hospitality's Economic Outlook Breakfast is this Thursday! There is still time to register - we are going virtual!! This is an amazing opportunity to hear from industry experts on how best to plan brief 2022. Register: https://conta.c..." (Facebook)

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• Fernwood Artisan Festival (September 11)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects and German to English business translations. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Fishdom (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woonsocket Daily? Reach out anytime to Woonsocket@Patch.com.