Johnston Sun Rise

SENTENCED: A judge has sentenced Jean Diaz De La Rosa, 27, of Johnston, to 20 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), with 15 years to serve, according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. In January, he was found guilty of two counts first-degree child abuse. The case dates back to his 2017 arrest.

RI AG: Johnston man sentenced to 15 years in prison for physically abusing 4-month-old son in 2017

A Johnston man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for physically abusing his four-month-old son in 2017. On April 13, Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini sentenced Jean Diaz De La … more

Sun Rise Staff Reports | 4/14/23

FIRST BASEMAN: Johnston’s Stephanie Bruno last week.

Panthers start 2-1

The Johnston girls softball team has jumped out to a 2-1 start this spring season with hopes of returning to the Division II playoffs. The Panthers got a 1-0 shutout win over Middletown in the season … more

4/13/23

BEATING INCIDENT:  In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection, while her young child and dog were inside the car. Providence Police asked for tips to identify the suspects and eventually made one arrest. These images were taken from screenshots of video footage from the incident. Johnston, Cranston and Providence police have all pledged to crackdown on the illicit operation of recreational vehicles on town and city roads as warm weather approaches in the Ocean State.

‘Off-road’ means stay off the damn road!

In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection. Her young child and dog were inside … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/12/23

SEIZED: The following items were seized during the warrant searches at three separate locations (20 Metcalf Ave. in North Providence, 113 Sisson St. in Providence, and 716 Central Ave. in Johnston): kilogram presses, stamps, and molds; digital scales and packaging material for redistribution; 908 grams of Heroin; 229 grams of Fentanyl; and $82,550 in US Currency.

Johnston man one of three arrested for drug trafficking and failing to report a death

The Rhode Island State Police (RISP) announced the arrest of three suspects and the discovery of a dead body following a task force raid in North Providence. more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/7/23

FAMILY SUPPORT: Matt Velino, center, is surrounded by his family after Tuesday night’s Johnston School Committee meeting, where he was officially named new JHS principal. From left to right: Stacy Andreozzi, Dave Andreozzi, Luca Andreozzi (a Brown Avenue Elementary student), Matt Velino, Mason Andreozzi (also a Brown Ave. student), Lori Velino and Paul Velino.

Matthew Velino promoted to Johnston High School principal

Johnston born and bred, the high school’s new principal hugged his entire family following Tuesday night’s unanimous School Committee vote. Matt Velino’s rise to one of … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/7/23

CAPTURE THE SUN: Applicant Revity Energy LLC wants to build solar fields on seven Central Avenue lots at 1252-1262 Central Ave. The land is zoned R-40.

Solar energy without clearing Rhode Island's forests?

Legislation has passed the Rhode Island State Senate aimed at helping developers build solar fields without clearing carbon-eating trees. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed what a press … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/6/23

Panthers get Opening Day win

The Johnston baseball team earned a big win to start its 2023 spring campaign, beating divisional foe Westerly in a 3-2, extra inning affair on Tuesday night at Johnston Memorial Park. The Panthers … more

4/6/23

Corsinetti cousins add to family legacy

Corsinetti is one of the most recognizable basketball names in Rhode Island, and this past winter, it grew even more.Rhode Island College senior Antonia Corsinetti was a key piece to the Anchorwomen … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/30/23

Rhode Island's aging meters are nearing obsolescence. It may cost ratepayers $200 million to replace the Ocean State's more than 525,000 electric meters.

Meter replacement carries $200M shock

Rhode Island Energy’s “advanced metering” proposal will cost the Ocean State nearly $200 million and require the manual replacement of approximately 525,000 electric … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/30/23 | 1 comment

FROM THE DARK SKY: These images of the Amazon construction site in Johnston, following the sunset, were captured by drones piloted by Trevor Bryan, an FAA Licensed and insured drone pilot, the owner and operator of New England Aerial Services, on Sept. 21. The illuminated project has been taking shape on the Hartford Avenue hill overlooking Johnston.

Will Johnston’s Amazon deliver?

While empty Amazon warehouses litter the nation, the online mega retailer insists their Johnston distribution center will open as planned. And the company plans to hire “more than 1,500” local job-seekers. more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/30/23

POLITICAL ACCESS: On March 17, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. announced on Twitter that he had toured the Amazon construction site with US Sen. Jack Reed. He released four photos from the tour. (Photos courtesy Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.)

No public tours or answers on Johnston Amazon opening

Johnston’s local newspaper has been trying to land a tour of the Amazon construction site for more than a year. The Sun Rise received its first official rejection from Amazon on Jan. 18, … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/27/23 | 1 comment

OUTSIDE AUDITORS: Johnston Finance Director Joseph Chiodo, at the lectern, addressed Town Council at their March meeting, to answer questions regarding the hiring of an outside firm to audit school finances. Johnston Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr., at right, was present to answer questions from the school department’s perspective. At center, Dean Kaplan, Managing Director and Engagement Manager for PFM, waited to address Town Council.

Outside firm hired to audit Johnston school finances

Johnston has hired a Pennsylvania auditing firm to examine school finances. “The mayor is seeking an independent, out-of-state auditing firm called PFM Group,” according to Johnston … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/24/23

WATER WORKS: An employee at Town Hall lanes said the bowling alley will be without water for months as they construct a new bank branch building along Atwood Avenue. Because of the utility work, the bowling alley will shut its doors forever in a few weeks.

Town Hall Lanes’ time is up

Johnston’s lane time has expired. The town’s lone bowling alley will soon close. Although an exact date has not been released, Town Hall Lanes will cease operation in several … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/23/23

Velasquez commits to DII Bridgeport

Johnston junior infielder Arianna Velasquez took a big step forward in her softball career, recently committing verbally to Division II University of Bridgeport. Velasquez, who also plays travel … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/23/23

SCAN FIRST: Police found a skimming device attached to this ATM on Killingly Street. If you utilized the machine, check your bank balance and report any suspicious activity to police and your bank.

Johnston police investigate ATM skimming discovery

Have you swiped your bank card at this automatic teller machine (ATM)? Hours after Johnston Police discovered a “skimming device” attached to a Killingly Street ATM, they were looking … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/22/23

LINKED LEADERS: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. is joined by new JSC Executive Director Ricard DelFIno and new JDTC Chairman Joe Ballirano, who was unanimously elected to his new role.

Johnston Democratic Town Committee reorganizes for 2023

“I love this town … I live and work here and care about what happens to it!” Those were the words of attorney Joseph R. Ballirano last Thursday night after being unanimously … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 3/17/23

CES names Cresta new ring announcer

Local fitness celebrity and social media content creator Margaret Cresta has been named the ring announcer for the upcoming CES Boxing event that is taking place on March 25 at the Park Theatre in … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/16/23

Panthers wrap up historic season

The Johnston boys basketball team dropped a 64-63 heartbreaker to Smithfield in the Sweet 16 round of the open state tournament last week to see its season come to a close.Johnston held a five-point … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/9/23

BEYOND CONCEPTUAL: Mark Rhoades, Principal at the SLAM Collaborative, updates Johnston’s School Building Committee on elementary school project plans. In the foreground, new committee member Helena Buonanno Foulkes listens with JSBC Chairman Joseph Rotella and Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.

Soaring costs haunt Johnston's new school plans

Soaring building costs and interest rates have thrown school planners a curve ball. According to updated projections, four school projects estimated at $215 million last spring could now … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/9/23

CHEERS: Ernie Cafolla, 97, at right, lifts his glass to toast his table-mates — Joe Mullen, 90, a Seekonk native and ex-Army first lieutenant; Donald LaBelle, 91, formerly of Charlestown, a former Air Force airman first class — who all lifted their bottles and goblets. (Sun Rise photos by Rory Schuler)

RI Vets treated to St. Patrick’s Day feast at Warwick K of C Hall

Ronald Pelletier sniffed the corned beef flavored air. He was thirsty. A woman leaned over his left shoulder and asked, “You gonna have beer or wine today?” “I’m gonna … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/9/23

June 10, 2023