This Just In: Legendary local businesses felled by COVID

Also, high-school athletes will be playing with masks [View email with images]( [Providence Journal] Tuesday September 15, 2020 [Subscribe Now]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Providence Journal]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. There's a lot more I could say today about the birds in my backyard but I'm afraid you'd think I was obsessed or something. The coronavirus pandemic [has claimed one of Providence's most notable restaurants]( the James Beard-nominated Birch. Chef/owner Ben Sukle announced that the restaurant would close for good on Oct. 18. Sukle will continue to operate Oberlin, which has a larger seating capacity and is therefore better suited to survive this time of COVID restrictions. It was Rhode Island's most popular attraction that was not actually in Rhode Island. The Venus de Milo hosted countless weddings, proms and other special events over past decades (including the Journal's venerable Follies), but those days are gone. The owner of the Venus is selling the banquet hall and suggests that the land [could be redeveloped]( into a mixed-use business and residential complex. Here are [some classic photos from the glory days of the Venus]( and here is our gallery of the [restaurants we've lost during the pandemic](. The Journal [got a tour of one of the 14 coronavirus testing sites]( set up across the state specifically for students, teachers and school staff. Also, an employee of a Providence elementary school [tested positive for coronavirus yesterday]( but the school where they worked remains open. [Subscribe to The Providence Journal]( The Rhode Island Interscholastic League has released its guidelines for return to play later this fall. [Most players, coaches and spectators will be required to wear facial coverings](. The Department of Health [today reported three coronavirus-related deaths and 120 new cases](. A middle school teacher in North Providence, who was arrested yesterday at the end of the first day of school, [appeared in Superior Court via video link]( from the Adult Correctional Institutions. Matthew Moniz is accused of sexual assault of a minor. The alleged crimes occurred in East Providence and the North Providence School District says they are not related to his job as a teacher. Finally, it's a big night for pro basketball fans in New England, as the Boston Celtics [begin their Eastern Conference championship series]( against the Miami Heat. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, [please encourage a friend to sign up](. providencejournal.com [Facebook]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this communication as a member of the Providence Journal. Providence Journal values your online privacy. For more information, view our [privacy policy]( now. Please do not reply to this message. [Manage Preferences or Unsubscribe]( Providence Journal 75 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02902 © 2020 Providence Journal. All rights reserved.