Cranston|News|
Advocates Decry Defunding of RI's Only Syringe Exchange Program
AIDS Care Ocean State's $65,000 legislative grant was not renewed. Last year, they said they kept 43,808 used needles off the streets.

Mark is an award-winning journalist with a background in community journalism. He has been working as a professional journalist most of his adult life. Before joining Patch, he wrote for the South County Independent, covering the seaside town of Narragansett, R.I., since 2004. Before that, he wrote for the University of Rhode Island's campus daily, the Good Five Cent Cigar and was the editor of The Rebellion, South Kingstown High School's paper. He graduated from SK in 1996.
Mark has been recognized by both the Rhode Island and New England Press Associations for outstanding reporting. He has won numerous awards, including first-place prizes for feature writing, investigative reporting, and business and economic reporting. While covering Narragansett, he established a reputation of trustworthiness and fairness, earning the respect of both his readers and the people he covered.
Mark is a devoted husband and father and lives in Cranston with his wife Naomi and daughters Olive and Ruby.
AIDS Care Ocean State's $65,000 legislative grant was not renewed. Last year, they said they kept 43,808 used needles off the streets.

The visit is a chance for cancer survivors, patients, caregivers and family members to learn about free services and support.
Rhode Island Monthly magazine named Debra Erickson-Owens Nurse Midwife of the Year for her work and research at Women & Infants Hospital.
DiPrete Engineering is recognizing The PT Riders—a group of employees who raised $14,145 to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Come to the party and get yourself registered to vote, check out new voting machines and more.
Woof! My name is Choco and I am an 8-year-old lab mix. I sure don't act my age!
A city man won $35,000 with a "Wheel of Fortune" instant ticket and is now heading west.
The ticket was sold at the 7-Eleven on Reservoir Avenue and has yet to be claimed.
"The 10–year plan is a robust statement of our agency’s commitment to safety and the community," writes Buddy Croft, RITBA's exec. director.
Have you seen Troy F. Willis, 39? He's wanted by Cranston police.
Fort Adams State Park in Newport is the new site of the walk in Newport this year. Plus, a special guest will be running across all of RI.
A portion of the road from Park Avenue to Sprague Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
"The sheer number of errors, unexplained changes and non-compliance by NK town officials is unprecedented," writes Francis P. DiGregorio.
Five former players and one longtime volunteer, Al Weisman, who rarely misses a game, will be inducted on Oct. 22
Voters who do make it to the polls will encounter some new technology.
John Tortolano, 83, a lifelong resident of East Greenwich passed away September 8, 2016.
Geriann Ysenbart, 51, of Narragansett, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at home.
With grace and peace, Edward Joseph Imperatore, 94, a lifelong resident of Cranston, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2016.
Reverend Dom Damian Kearney of the Order of St. Benedict, died Sept. 8, 2016.
He also enjoyed antique cars and no matter where he lived, he was dedicated to caring for his yard and garden.