Week In Review: Veteran's Day Names Read, LED Sign Discussion Dims, Pension Reform Passed

This Veteran’s Day, the  decided to join a national initiative to read all 6,243 names of the U.S. service members who have died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom since September 15, 2011. The event was sponsored by Veterans Knowledge Community and Student Veterans of American. The hope was that at least one school from each state would take the initiative and participate. 182 schools participated, URI being the only one in Rhode Island.

The event lasted for 11 hours as it was expected that it takes three seconds to read a name and then there would be a three second moment of silence before a new name was read.  

Judge William Carnes, Jr. denied a defense motion for a new trial Tuesday, sending convicted murderer Kimberly Fry back to the ACI. Fry, 38, was convicted in October of strangling her 8-year-old daughter, Camden, in August 2009.

Fry's attorney, Sarah Wright, argued Thursday and Monday that jury instructions in the original trial should have included the possibility that Fry acted with "diminished capacity," which could lead to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The South Kingstown Town Council postponed adoption of an ordinance to regulate the use of LED signs and message boards for downtown business for a fourth time on Monday night, extending a moratorium that will last until at least next year.

Council Chairwoman Ella Whaley said the council needed more information to decide whether to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation to continue an outright ban on LED-type signs, a position inspired by the installation of light-emitting diode signs at the Kingstown Road businesses CVS and Wakefield Prescription in the summer of 2010.

Tables overflowed with platters of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean-meat sandwiches and legume salads beneath walls covered in images of South Kingstown’s open spaces, bike paths and hiking trails, offering locals a sneak peak on Tuesday night of what life could be like underthe town’s Healthy Places by Design initiative.

The meeting at the Broad Rock Road YMCA kicked off the second phase of thefederally inspired program – a week-long community-centered health summit in which residents brainstorm with town officials andSouth County YMCA personnel to craft policies and plans in support of physical activity and access to healthy foods.

Both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly have passed their versions of the pension reform bill.

The State Senate has passed their version of the pension reform bill 34-2. The House has passed their version by a 57-15 vote.

Both houses opened full sessions this afternoon to consider bills that would, according to state General Treasurer Gina Rainomdo and its supporters, make much-needed changes to the state's retirement system.