Woonsocket Mayor Lawsuit Settlement + RI Health Care Groups Worry

Hey, people of Woonsocket! It's me again, Dan Hampton, with your latest Woonsocket Daily.

Today we bring you up to speed on a settlement in a lawsuit that accused Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt of violating the First Amendment rights of two Woonsocket residents. Plus: Woonsocket students returned to their classrooms and a guilty plea was entered in an investigation into unlawful gun and drug sales in Providence and Woonsocket.

But first, today's weather: Heavy rain in the morning. High: 71, low: 53.

Here are the top stories today in Woonsocket:

1. The Associated Press reports two Woonsocket residents have settled in their lawsuit against Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. The two accused the mayor of infringing on their First Amendment rights by deleting their critical posts from her Facebook page, then blocking them. Under the settlement, Baldelli-Hunt agreed not to block people from her page based on peoples' views that are protected by the First Amendment. The city also must pay $7,000 in fees and court costs. (The Associated Press)
2. Laura Pugliese of WLNE-TV reports students in more than a dozen school districts across Rhode Island returned to the classroom Wednesday, including Woonsocket. All schools required masks to begin the year amid surging cases of the coronavirus' delta variant. (WLNE)
3. Federal prosecutors say Joel Figueroa, 25, of Providence, has pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and a count of felonious possession of a firearm stemming from an investigation into the sale of guns and drugs in Providence and Woonsocket. He faces up to 50 years in prison when he's sentenced in November. (U.S. States Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island)
4. The Providence Journal has the latest coronavirus case counts and rates for Woonsocket and elsewhere. (The Providence Journal)
5. Sarah Doiron and Shiina LoSciuto of WPRI-TV reports health care organizations fear an Oct. 1 deadline for health care workers in Rhode Island to get vaccinated could inadvertently lead to a mass exodus. The Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care said in a statement to the TV station that it wants state health officials to exempt home health care workers from Gov. Dan McKee's requirement. (WPRI)

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Woonsocket Patch Notebook

• The Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary put out a call for items such as paper towels and non-clumping cat litter. (Facebook)
• The sanctuary also asked residents if they've seen this cat. (Facebook)
• The Woonsocket Historical Society marked Woonsocket's Labor Day Parade crossing the Court Street Bridge in 1899. (Facebook)
• The RI Hospitality Association reminded residents of its upcoming golf day at Quidnessett Country Club on Oct. 4. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dan Hampton

About me: Hi! My name is Dan Hampton and I'm the program manager for Patch's Community Publisher Initiative. Formerly a local editor on Long Island covering Port Washington, Wantagh-Seaford, Levittown, Glen Cove, Plainview, Syosset, New Hyde Park, Hicksville, Great Neck, Oyster Bay and Mineola. I am the former wire editor on Patch's national team and a former news associate at The Associated Press. I graduated with a journalism degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Send tips and/or photos of your dog to dan.hampton@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woonsocket Daily? You can contact me at Woonsocket@Patch.com.