Johnston|News|
Five Things for Wednesday: Sunny, Hobbit, Lights, Giving & More
Get your mid-week pick-me-up with a check of weather, news, and celebrity birthdays.

Email: joseph.hutnak@patch.com
Phone: 401-369-1659
Joe is currently Field Editor for six Rhode Island Patch sites, previously Local Editor for Bristol-Warren Patch, Smithfield Patch, and Johnston Patch.
A native Rhode Islander, Joe grew up in Johnston and graduated from Johnston High School. He attended Rhode Island College and earned a bachelor's degree in English, then started in professional journalism with the Kent County Daily Times in West Warwick. After stints in Hopkinton and East Greenwich, Joe served as Editor of The Cranston Herald.
Some of Joe's previous work includes:
— Press Secretary for Aram Garabedian's mayoral campaign in Cranston against Steve Laffey in 2002;
— Advisor to Cranston Democratic City-wide Council slate in 2004 and 2006;
— Membership Director for Cranston Chamber of Commerce;
— State-certified high school English teacher.
Joe joined Patch in November, 2010, and launched Johnston Patch six weeks later. In September, 2012, he launched Smithfield Patch before assisting with coverage of Bristol-Warren Patch and taking on the Field Editor role in 2013.
Joe lives in Cranston. He is married to Andrea DiPonte Hutnak, whose parents live in Johnston. Joe and Andrea have one daughter, Carina Rose.
Get your mid-week pick-me-up with a check of weather, news, and celebrity birthdays.

Fire Chief Robert Seltzer said the new medical emergency is expected in the spring.
The entrance to Central Avenue at Atwood Avenue will be shut down for installation of a sewer line.
We're looking for photos of the most unique, quirky, or memorable trinkets that you hang on your tree for the holidays.
Upload your photo here to share your cute getups with your Braintree neighbors.
Upload your photo here to share your cute getups with your Braintree neighbors.
Check today's weather, news, and events in Johnston.
The Rhode Island Lottery announced that Myra Ricci scored an early Christmas gift.
Check today's weather, news, and events in Johnston.
You might be surprised at the results of a poll on the subject.
The North Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "speed networking" event tomorrow morning at Goodwill Industries.
The North Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "speed networking" event tomorrow morning at Goodwill Industries.
Can you believe it's just over two weeks until Christmas? Check out today's forecast and slate of local events.
Can you believe it's just over two weeks until Christmas? Check out today's forecast and slate of local events.
We encourage business owners to claim listings in Patch Places to better promote their business and inform SmithfieldPatch readers.
The Johnston resident passed away on Nov. 7, 2012.
Share photos of the most unique, quirky, or memorable trinkets that you hang on your tree for the holidays.
We're looking for photos of the most unique, quirky, or memorable trinkets that you hang on your tree for the holidays.
We're looking for photos of the most unique, quirky, or memorable trinkets that you hang on your tree for the holidays.
There's just 18 days until Christmas — and there's lots of holiday-related news in today's 5 Things.