This Just In: The people who rely on Eleanor Slater Hospital

Also, the state treasurer's office takes on Facebook. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, July 30 [Pam Costello worries about what would happen to her son Jason Gagnon if Eleanor Slater Hospital's Zambarano Unit is downsized or closed: "He's not high-functioning enough for a group home and he's not appropriate for a nursing home. ... Where's he going to go?"]( [The people who rely on Eleanor Slater Hospital]( Also, the state treasurer's office takes on Facebook. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It's been an interesting month of July, hasn't it? The debate over the future of Eleanor Slater Hospital has often focused on dollars and cents, but we haven't heard as much about the patients who live on the two campuses in Burrillville and Cranston. Katherine Gregg, who has covered all the twists and turns of the Eleanor Slater story, [introduces three patients]( who have relied on the state hospital's specialized care for decades, and whose families are nervous about the future. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported 186 additional cases of COVID-19, to go along with 6,736 negative tests, for a 2.7% positive rate. The Health Department reported one additional death, bringing the total toll in Rhode Island during the pandemic to 2,740. There were 31 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, on Wednesday, down from 32 reported yesterday. Seven were in intensive care and three were on ventilators. The state has reported an average of 127 new cases a day over the last seven days, an 87% increase from a week ago and a 269% increase from two weeks ago. Vaccine mandates for public workers are gaining momentum among state and local governments across the country. They haven't been embraced in Rhode Island yet, but likely candidates in some of the key 2022 election contests [are starting to line up behind the idea]( The New Shoreham Town Council last night moved toward a resolution [that would encourage everyone wear masks]( inside public buildings, while not mandating it. State Treasurer Seth Magaziner is suing Facebook and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, saying the social media giant's failure to keep its users private data secure has materially impacted the value of Facebook stock, [thus harming shareholders]( A former Catholic priest who served in four Rhode Island parishes during the 1980s and early 1990s [is facing charges of sexually abusing a boy]( nearly 40 years ago in North Smithfield. Edward Kelley, who was not included on the list of credibly accused clergy that the Providence Diocese released in 2019, was arrested earlier this year in South Carolina, where he moved years ago. A consultant's report from last year, which has only just been released, found that for 35 years Rhode Island [has consistently failed to hit its targets]( for contracting with women- and minority-owned businesses. In what may be the single largest equipment purchase in its history, the Providence Fire Department [is adding 11 new vehicles to its fleet]( The aptly named Ben Tuff [is set to swim from Block Island to Jamestown]( this weekend to raise money for Clean Ocean Access, but he had to move it back a day because of rough seas forecast for Saturday. Patricia Andreu's latest Women in Action column profiles Lauren Parmelee, [a force of nature]( the Rhode Island Audubon Society. Your first-place Red Sox [added an All-Star bat]( to their lineup hours before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. David Duke did not hear his name called at the NBA Draft last night, but the Providence native will still get a shot at the big time. [He's agreed to a free-agent deal with the Brooklyn Nets]( and will be playing on that team's Summer League squad. [This week's Walking Rhode Island destination]( features splendid isolation, Native American history, and a name that's really fun to say. Have a great weekend. 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