Smithfield, RI|News|
5 Things: Get in the Halloween Spirit
The Patch costume and pumpkin decorating contests lead the list of 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 31, 2012.
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.
The Patch costume and pumpkin decorating contests lead the list of 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 31, 2012.
The Patch costume and pumpkin decorating contests lead the list of 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 31, 2012.
Did you lose a tree in your yard? A few branches? Post pics here!
Did you lose a tree in your yard? A few branches? Post pics here!
The Johnston High School varsity football team nailed down the top spot in D-IIA and a playoff berth with a 42-6 Homecoming win over Warwick Vets.
Scheduling conflicts led the local recreation department to cancel this year's event, according to an announcement on the department's website.
After heading into Monday night with fewer than 140 outages reported, Johnston showed about 1,300 homes without power on Tuesday morning.
While Hurricane Sandy left more than 100,000 Rhode Island customers without power at its height, National Grid reported fewer than 20 outages by 9 pm Monday.
Town officials made the announcement shortly after 8:30 pm Monday night.
As Hurricane Sandy moves away, here are your 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 30, 2012.
As Hurricane Sandy moves away, here are your 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 30, 2012.
EMA Director Todd Manni said town officials "are not leaving until it's over."
National Grid reported outages across Rhode Island following the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.
National Grid reported outages across Rhode Island following the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.
Strong winds and rain moved into the Smithfield area this afternoon, an early indication of what promises to be a major storm.
High winds, localized flooding expected to make driving hazardous.
The town's Public Works office on Irons Avenue is the location for pick-up of sandbags.
The voting was so close that a tie-breaker decided the winner. Check out the video to see who won!
Whether it's a power outage, fallen trees, or evacuation, here are the important contact numbers, websites, and Twitter feeds for Smithfield residents to use.
Town officials are scheduled to meet this morning to review preparations for Hurricane Sandy.