Johnston|News|
Sandy Looms Offshore, Expected to Reach New England Early Next Week
The National Weather Service upgraded the tropical storm to a hurricane on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

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 National Weather Service upgraded the tropical storm to a hurricane on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

The following information was posted on the Rhode Island State Police website. Where an arrest is noted, it does not indicate a conviction.
Ways to get ready for the haunted holiday hit the list of 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 25, 2012.
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The Smithfield resident will be laid to rest in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.
The Smithfield resident passed away on Oct. 22, 2012.
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Rhode Island Pink Heals visited Johnston Fire Department Headquarters on Oct. 23.
The university announced the gift at the Oct. 23 opening of a conference on public leadership.
President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney squared off in the third and final presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Here's how Rhode Island Republicans and Democrats reacted.
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Anthony Cucinotta, 27, entered his plea in federal court on Monday.
After a six-and-a-half month wait, drivers heading north on Rte. 116 will no longer have to use a detour.
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There's still time to upload your photos in our Halloween contests — read all about it, plus more, in the 5 Things to Know Today for Oct. 23.
The senator from Rhode Island spoke about tonight's debate, the Benghazi document release, and other issues following a senior citizens forum Monday in Smithfield.