News | Cranston Herald

Our programs assist, inform, entertain, and enrich the lives of Individuals 55 years and older. Tools for Healthy Living Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beginning May 14, ending June 18 … more

5/15/24

FOR CRYSTAL: Crystal Vizcaino has been living with cancer, while trying to still be there for her three kids. On May 19, her friends plan to hold a fundraiser from 1-4 p.m. at Copperfield’s. (Herald photos by Rory Schuler)

‘I’m afraid to ask’

Crystal Vizcaino tried not to cry. She rubbed at an uncomfortable false eyelash while sitting in the back booth at J&T’s Breakfast & Lunch. Vizcaino’s used to waiting tables … more

By RORY SCHULER | 5/15/24

MAKE A WISH: Above, Tracey Simoneau, a Water Fitness Instructor at the Cranston YMCA, presents Frank Mancini, at right, with his birthday cake to blow out the candles. At left, the entire YMCA, and Mancini’s family, gathered to celebrate. (Cranston Herald Photos by Steve Popiel)

He’s there so often, they named a corner of the YMCA pool after him

Cranston YMCA held a surprise 101st birthday party for Frank Mancini, 101, on May 3. His grandkids told him they were dropping him off and leaving, but they stayed. Mancini was given a … more

5/15/24

CPD REMEMBERS: The Cranston Police Department held its annual Memorial Ceremony to honor and remember the city’s fallen law enforcement officers. (Photos courtesy Mayor Ken Hopkins)

Lost, but not forgotten

They met to remember their fallen fellow officers. According to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins, “many gathered for this morning’s annual Cranston Police Department Memorial Ceremony to … more

5/15/24

CORN BRED: Carol Rathbun, Richard Davidson, Jeff Butzier, Robin Butzier, Morgan Butzier, the morning’s cornbread cooks, show off some of the best cornbread on the planet.

The original May Breakfast

On Wednesday, May 1, The Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church held its 155th Annual May Breakfast, from 7 to 11 a.m., at 229 Wilbur Avenue, Cranston. The menu included classic clam cakes, scrambled … more

5/15/24

GOING ALL IN: Cranston’s own Aram Zobian is the 2024 U.S. Poker Open champion. He topped the 2024 U.S. Poker Open leaderboard with 616 points, nearly 200 points ahead of any other competitor.

Cranston East grad knows when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em

Cranston’s own Aram Zobian was crowned the US Poker Open Champion in Las Vegas on April 17. Zobian moved to Cranston when he was 11 years old, and attended Edgewood Highland, Park View and … more

By PAM SCHIFF Special to the Herald | 5/15/24

FEMA deadline approaching: ‘Don’t delay, apply today’

Homeowners and renters in Kent, Providence and Washington counties who had damage from the severe storm and flooding that took place from Dec. 17-19, 2023, and Jan. 9-13, 2024, have just one … more

5/15/24

Cranston Career & Technical Students bring home dozens of medals from the state’s SkillsUSA competition

Cranston Public Schools announced the recipients of 34 medals, awarded to Cranston Area Career and Technical students at the recent RI SkillsUSA awards ceremony. The awardees represented the … more

5/15/24

School layoffs looming?

On Monday evening, the Cranston School Committee started on a somber note, as Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse warned of the effects of level-funding on the city’s schools. Nota-Masse … more

By TYLER JACKMAN Special to the Herald | 5/15/24

Learn365RI a political hot potato

Johnston is the only Ocean State municipality not participating in Gov. Dan McKee’s Learn365RI initiative. According to McKee’s Press Secretary Olivia DaRocha, “38 out of 39 … more

By RORY SCHULER | 5/15/24

At 85, ex-Mayor Traf running as fast as ever

Michael A. “Mayor Traf” Traficante’s already achieved the municipal hat trick — mayor (check), school committee (check) and city council (checked, 45 years ago). The Army … more

By RORY SCHULER and JOHN HOWELL | 5/15/24

MISSED AT J&T'S: Longtime J&T’s Breakfast & Lunch waitress Crystal Vizcaino, of Johnston, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. She has three kids and the bills are piling up. She posed for photos with some of her beloved patrons and fellow waitresses at the George Waterman Road restaurant last week.

Fundraiser set for Johnston mom of 3 living with Stage 4 cancer

Crystal Vizcaino tried not to cry. She rubbed at an uncomfortable false eyelash while sitting in the back booth at J&T’s Breakfast & Lunch. Vizcaino’s used to waiting tables … more

By RORY SCHULER | 5/10/24

Fox to succeed Howell as Beacon Communications publisher

Joy Fox will succeed John Howell as Beacon Communications publisher. “John has been at the helm for five decades,” Fox said Wednesday morning. “He’s … more

By RORY SCHULER | 5/9/24

THE RACE BEGINS: There’s a Democratic Primary race emerging between two lifelong Johnston residents, Richard J. DelFino III, at left, and Andrew Dimitri, at right, for the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Frank Lombardo III, the Democrat who represented Johnston’s District 25 since 2010.

Two Johnston men declare run for D-25 state Senate seat

A pair of Johnston Democrats have announced their candidacy to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Frank Lombardo III, the Democrat who represented District 25 since 2010. So far, … more

By RORY SCHULER | 5/8/24

TAKING THE PLEDGE: The inductees stand for their official induction pledge

Cranston High School West celebrates National Honor Society inductees and academic award recipients

On Wednesday, April 23, the following students were inducted into the National Honor Society at Cranston West: Class of 2024 Alchihed, Andrew Brantolino, Nicole M. Cheng, Henry … more

5/8/24

TOOT TOOT: Holly Cole, aka the bean lady, made 80 pounds of her special recipe baked beans for this breakfast.

It was almost May, so again, they met for breakfast

On Saturday, April 27, Woodridge Congregational UCC Church held its 40th Almost May Breakfast. The menu included the church’s famous johnnycakes, made by second and third generation … more

5/8/24

Study finds child population declining, increasingly diverse

An annual report released by Rhode Island Kids Count, a children's advocacy group lauded by state and local officials for their in-depth analyses, was unveiled Monday at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. … more

By TYLER JACKMAN Special to the Herald | 5/8/24

Cranston Senior Enrichment Center

Our programs assist, inform, entertain, and enrich the lives of Individuals 55 years and older. Tools for Healthy Living Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beginning May 14th ending June … more

5/8/24

WHAT A PERFORMANCE: NEIT President Richard Gouse shares the moment with actress Rita Moreno at commencement Sunday at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. Moreno, 92, urged the graduates to never give up in her address. (Beacon Communications photos by Will Steinfeld)

Rita Moreno electrifies NEIT Commencement

What makes a commencement special? There are a couple of key ingredients: students celebrating, proud families hooting and hollering encouragement, pageantry, music, big arenas. The personal … more

By WILL STEINFELD | 5/8/24

OneCranston Health Equity Zone at CCAP

Picky Eaters Workshop & Craft for Kids Thursday May 16th, 4:30-6:00pm The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston Join our workshop to explore creative ways to introduce new … more

5/8/24

May 15, 2024