This Just In: Warwick mayor helps plow the streets; fishermen and offshore wind company at impasse

Also, COVID vaccines are coming to CVS [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Tuesday, February 2 [Providence, RI, Feb 1, 2021 - Pedestrian leaves footprints in the new fallen snow along Dyer St. in Providence on Monday afternoon. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig] ]( [This Just In: Warwick mayor helps plow the streets]( Also, COVID vaccines are coming to CVS Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. I was pleasantly surprised to get my daily jog in today, because the storm that was expected to drop a foot of snow across much of Rhode Island [only left a slushy mess]( where I live. But there's bad news: [The groundhog saw his shadow](. But there's also good news: [Today was Truck Day at Fenway Park.]( Warwick's new mayor, Frank Picozzi, [took a hands-on role]( in clearing the city streets last night. Picozzi got behind the wheel of a plow truck and even took some abuse from a homeowner who complained that the plow had left snow at the bottom of his driveway. Although the restaurant industry has been battered in Rhode Island as elsewhere by the pandemic, it's amazing to see how many restaurateurs are making the brave decision to open new businesses. [Gail Ciampa has the rundownÂ]( a diverse range of restaurant openings in the Ocean State: from a soul-food restaurant in downtown Providence, to a Spanish eatery on the East Side, to a Southern-inspired concept that is coming soon to the former home of Eli's Kitchen in Warren. And more. Fishermen [have reached an impasse]( with the companies that are looking to build a new wind farm in Rhode Island Sound over how they will be compensated for lost access to fishing grounds. It's a bitter disappointment for anglers who were hoping for something better following a bruising battle with another offshore wind developer. The state Department of Health [reported 13 coronavirus-related deaths and 235 additional cases of COVID-19](. The state-run COVID testing sites were closed yesterday, so it was no surprise that the number of new cases was relatively low; more encouraging was the fact that the daily test positivity rate was the lowest since Oct. 28, and the number of hospitalized patients was the lowest since Nov. 13. CVS [is set to begin administering coronavirus vaccine]( at four of its stores in Rhode Island next week. In order to make an appointment, you'll have to be in one of the state's high-priority groups. Can you get COVID-19 from touching contaminated surfaces? You probably won't, [says Dr. Ashish Jha]( but that doesn't mean that you should stop washing your hands regularly. The Rhode Island-based Procaccianti Group, one of the country's largest private hotel operators, [is suing]( after its insurance company refused to cover what it called "devastating" losses caused by the virus. A bipartisan bill in the General Assembly would require civics education in Rhode Island public schools, but some of the Providence students who sued the state over the lack of required instruction in civics [say it does not go far enough]( Finally, I used to play a little second base, but I'm not mentioned in [this story about possible replacements for Dustin Pedroia]( Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up](. [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St. , Providence, RI 02902