WOONSOCKET

BCBSRI Responds to Steward Suit Over Failed Landmark Deal

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:56:32 +0000

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island is responding to a lawsuit claiming that it stymied Steward Health Care’s bid to acquire Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket.

Steward is the Massachusetts-based, for-profit health care chain that tried to acquire Landmark, which has been in receivership for several years. Steward filed suit in Superior Court this week claiming Blue Cross thwarted those plans purposefully to maintain what Steward calls an unlawful monopoly on commercial insurance and hospital services.

Baldelli-Hunt announces mayoral run in Woonsocket

Ian Donnis — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:55:30 +0000

Putting an end to speculation about her next move, state Represenative Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced Tuesday that she's a candidate for mayor in Woonsocket.

Here's part of her statement:

Woonsocket Supplemental Tax Bill Returns to Statehouse

Flo Jonic — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:58:48 +0000

The budget commission that’s running the city of Woonsocket has asked area lawmakers to introduce a bill that would authorize a $2.5 million dollar supplemental tax increase. It’s part of a plan to bail out the financially distressed community.

The average Woonsocket resident would pay an additional $150 in property taxes and $90 in vehicle taxes under terms of a supplemental tax bill introduced by two state lawmakers. The aim is to raise $2.5 million. It’s part of a larger plan to erase a $17 million deficit over the next five years.

Landmark Deal Stalls Again; Missing Info from Prime

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:18:09 +0000

Rhode Island’s Attorney General and Department of Health officials say they’re suspending their review of Prime Healthcare’s application to buy the Woonsocket-based Landmark Medical Center.

The Silver Boom: Many Generations Under One Roof

Catherine Welch — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:05:00 +0000

Nothing says home quite like a white picket fence, and Jacqueline Dowdy’s got one surrounding her light green triple-decker. Her grandparents bought the place more than 40 years ago. Back then, they lived on the first floor.

“My parents lived on this floor, this is the apartment I grew up in,” says Dowdy. “And I had an aunt, one of my mother’s younger sisters, who lived on the third floor.”

TGIF: 12 Things to Know About RI Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:21:14 +0000

Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your tips and thoughts are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's get to the list.

The Political Roundtable: Woonsocket's Finances & the Gov's Tax Plan

Ian Donnis — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:23:21 +0000

The fight for fiscal stability in Woonsocket and mixed news on Rhode Island's economy. That’s part of the discussion this week on Political Roundtable with guest Woonsocket City Council President John Ward.

Bonus Q+A: John Ward talks Woonsocket politics and His Legislative Wish List

Ian Donnis — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Woonsocket City Council President John Ward is our guest on Bonus Q+A as we talk Woonsocket's economy, its upcoming mayoral race, consolidation, the historic tax credit, and other issues.

Political Roundtable: Ward Concerned About Tax Impact on CVS jobs

Ian Donnis, Scott MacKay and Maureen Moakley — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Woonsocket City Council President John Ward visits the Roundtable this week to talk about the outlook for fiscal stability in the northern Rhode Island community; the debate over tax policy in Rhode Island; and how to keep more young workers in the Ocean State.

Woonsocket Council Prez Ward Concerned About Possible Tax Hit for CVS

Ian Donnis — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:56:20 +0000

Woonsocket City Council President John Ward is concerned that jobs provided by CVS Caremark Corporation could vanish if the company loses a big chunk of a state tax credit.

"Based on their reaction, I'm a little concerned," Ward said, referring to how CVS lobbyist Robert Goldberg said the company may reconsider its ties to Rhode Island if it loses part of a job development tax credit worth about $15 million a year.