The 2021 Rhode Island Red Awards
The weirdest moments of 2021.
Illustrations by Daniel Guidera.
Rock Around Our Rollicking Little State
East Greenwich: Police charged a man with operating an unregistered vehicle that sported a tag reading “Texas Buyers” printed on an 8×11 sheet of paper. The driver said he’d bought the car on Facebook Marketplace.
Pawtucket: Police seized 1,300 pot plants and eighty-one pounds of weed and equipment, part of a large growing operation in the former Gamm Theatre building.
Newport: Fewer than 10 percent of drivers on the Jamestown and Newport bridges observe the speed limit and some do more than 90 mph.
North Providence: Dr. Anthony Farina Jr. had his medical license suspended after the state’s health director determined he posed a community threat. According to officials, Farina continued to work after testing positive for COVID, exposing his staff and patients, and wearing his N-95 mask under his nose. His license was reinstated a few weeks later.
Point Judith: Eight great white sharks were tagged in waters near Rhode Island, including one inside the Harbor of Refuge, and another that was only three months old. “As you can see,” one researcher said, “she’s already sporting an impressive set of teeth.”
Why we love our public officials!
They know the value of a dollar!
An accounting firm reported to Warwick City Council that city firefighters may have been overpaid $386,000 for unused sick time.
They get out and about!
A Johnston police officer was arrested and charged in an undercover sex sting operation at a Rockland, Massachusetts, hotel room.
They’re eco-conscious!
Laufton Ascencao, who had won a seat in the General Assembly but resigned before being sworn in, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $13,000 from the Sierra Club as well as campaign finance violations. According to the state board of elections, Ascencao, who was the Sierra Club chapter president, used the ill-gotten gains for his own campaign, as well as other groups.
Quotables!
“Down the road, I’m sure they’re tumbling off.”
Daniel Coren of Narragansett Auto about the multiple faulty state inspection stickers that kept coming unglued from customers’ windshields. At one point, the DMV suggested trying double-sided tape.
