This Just In: RI woman will get Patriots' highest honor; a winter weather preview

Also, what you need to know about Moderna and J&J boosters. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, October 22 [Tracy Sormanti was the Patriots cheerleading director for 27 years. The Providence native passes away in December of 2020 and will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.]( [RI woman will get Patriots' highest honor; a winter weather preview]( Also, what you need to know about Moderna and J&J boosters. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, soaking up another lovely October afternoon. This weekend could be the end of our run of good weather, though; it looks like it's going to rain just about every day next week. Of course, winter will be here before we know it. So what should we expect? Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and from AccuWeather, think it will be a little warmer than usual – [especially early on in winter](. But watch out for a late appearance by the polar vortex. Tracy Sormanti never stopped working. Even when the toll of chemotherapy treatments made it difficult to drive, Sormanti kept coming back to Foxboro, where she was the Patriots' cheerleading director for 27 years. Not only did she choreograph routines and select wardrobes, she taught cheerleaders about the history of the Patriots franchise and the intricacies of the game. She taught them public speaking and served as a mentor. Tomorrow, a little less than a year after Sormanti died following a years-long battle with multiple myeloma, the Providence native will become [the first woman inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame]( The Warwick public schools [are facing a potential bus driver strike next week]( after unionized drivers rejected a tentative agreement that their negotiating team reached last week with the private bus company First Student. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported one coronavirus-related death and 194 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 17,646 negative tests, for a 1.1% positive rate. There were 108 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, the same as reported yesterday, with 11 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 228 new cases a day, down 13% from a week ago and down 14% from two weeks ago. Booster shots are available now for qualifying Rhode Islanders who received the Moderna or Johnston & Johnson vaccine. Just who qualifies, and how do you get your booster dose? [So glad you asked]( The uncomfortable standoff between the Providence City Council and Mayor Jorge Elorza over the appointment of Parks and Recreation Director Michael Stephens to be a Police Department liaison [is not ending anytime soon](. City Council President John Igliozzi is now alleging a "potential appearance of impropriety in the selection and hiring process" because of allegations that Stephens was involved in his own hiring. But Elorza and Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré say that's false. After months of delays resulting from a lawsuit, Rhode Island has scheduled a long-awaited lottery for licenses to run new medical marijuana dispensaries. Five such licenses [will be up for grabs]( next Friday, in an event that will be streamed live. Phil Boudreau's music career began at Barrington High School and took him to Berklee College of Music and then Los Angeles, where he's produced for the likes of Dr. Dre and Justin Bieber. Now, he's working on a second album of his own music. Rob Duguay [has a profile]( of this local success story. Festival Ballet [returns to in-person performances]( tonight, and continues Saturday and Sunday, at the Moses Brown School. That comes as the local theater scene is getting back into swing. Amy Russo, who moved to Rhode Island during the difficult days of March, was at PPAC for opening night of "Pretty Woman" and [reflects on the graduate return to normalcy]( [This week's Walking RI destination]( is a new trail, in Coventry, that honors the memory of a teacher and principal who died of cancer in 2017. Finally, the elephant in the room: the Red Sox will be playing in Houston tonight [with their season on the line](. First pitch is 8:08 p.m.; if they win, they'll play Game Seven at the same time tomorrow. 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