This Just In: Blackstone statue controversy, more on Anthony Silva and the DEM

Also, a Rhode Island high-school sports legend agrees to plead guilty in college admissions scandal. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, September 15 [A sculpture of William Blackstone, one of the state's first settlers in the 1630s, has been installed at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Exchange Street in Pawtucket.]( [Blackstone statue controversy, more on Anthony Silva and the DEM]( Also, a Rhode Island high-school sports legend agrees to plead guilty in college admissions scandal. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In, delivered to your inbox a bit early today because I've got a cross-country meet to coach. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. For many years William Blackstone had been largely forgotten to history – sure, his surname was bequeathed to a river, and in fact to an entire region of the state, but there was only one inconspicuous monument noting his place in Rhode Island history, and his remains were lost many years ago. Now, in an unlikely twist, [Blackstone is at the center of a raging debate in Pawtucket]( where a statue of him reading a book and riding a bull has gone up downtown, much to the consternation of some in the Native American community.  Records The Providence Journal obtained as part of a public-access request show that a high-ranking official in the Department of Environmental Management [urged staffers to expedite a wetlands-alteration application]( by Anthony Silva, a top aide to then-Lt. Gov. Dan McKee. But the DEM official, Terrence Gray , says there was nothing unusual about the way he handled the situation, and the outcome wasn't what Silva had hoped. Gray was later elevated to interim director of the DEM after McKee became governor and former DEM Director Janet Coit left for a job in Washington. Rhode Island tennis legend Gordon "Gordie" Ernst [has agreed to plead guilty]( to federal charges related to the college admissions scandal known as Varsity Blues. Prosecutors say Ernst accepted nearly $3 million as bribes from Rick Singer , described as the mastermind of the scheme, when he was the head coach at Georgetown University. They say Ernst successfully designated 12 of Singer's clients as tennis recruits, even though some did not actually play the sport. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported one coronavirus-related death and 408 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 18,434 negative tests, for a 2.2% positive rate. There were 116 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 114 reported yesterday, with 14 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 367 new coronavirus cases a day over the last seven days, up 22% from a week ago and up 27% from two weeks ago. McKee gave his regular coronavirus news conference on an athletic field at Johnston High School, where he urged high-school students to get their vaccinations. McKee said the number of eligible Rhode Islanders who have not yet been vaccinated had dropped to about 145,000. The University of Rhode Island [has postponed a rap concert]( that had been scheduled for Friday night at the Ryan Center, citing concerns about the delta variant. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza [will not be running for governor]( in 2022. In an email to supporters, Elorza said his commitments to the city and to his family made the idea unworkable for him, but he would not rule out a run sometime in the future. Just six weeks after he was hired and less than a month into the school year, the interim superintendent of the Bristol-Warren School District [has resigned](. A replica of a colonial-era village has been erected at a park in Lincoln, and will serve as a set for the Disney movie "Hocus Pocus 2." It looks like that village [is set for a fiery end]( After a year's hiatus, the Big E is back, starting this weekend. Gail Ciampa [tells you what you need to know]( 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