Coffee and a check

The Coffee Grinder in Gov. Francis Shopping Plaza in Warwick was the spot where State Sen. Matthew LaMountain, right, met John Howell, president of the RI Academic Decathlon to present a $5,000 legislative grant for the organization that has conducted a statewide academic decathlon for the past 42 years. The state, corporate supporters, and individual donors make the program aimed at promoting and recognizing academic achievement possible. Warwick’s three high schools, Cranston’s two high schools, and Johnston Senior High School fielded teams in the competition held March 2 at Bryant University. The Wheeler School won the state event and went on to the nationals held earlier this month in Des Moines, Iowa.   Photo courtesy of Jeff Taylor