This Just In: Check that E-ZPass bill, and closing time for a seaside park

Also, Federal Hill gets the full Disney treatment for 'Hocus Pocus 2' [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, December 10 [Cameras and radar sensors populate the tolling gantry near the west end of the Washington Bridge on Route 195 in Providence.,]( [Check that E-ZPass bill, and closing time for a seaside park]( Also, Federal Hill gets the full Disney treatment for 'Hocus Pocus 2' Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and it's almost like some divine force decided there would be no Patriots or Eagles game this weekend so that I could focus on getting my Christmas tree on Sunday. Over the past year, Jim Hummel of The Hummel Report has received several emails from people complaining that their passenger vehicles were charged tolls for passing under the overhead gantries that are supposed to toll only tractor-trailers on Rhode Island highways. Then, it happened to him. It turns out that what state officials first dismissed as a tiny problem has affected nearly 2,000 drivers – [and maybe many more]( who paid the tolls without realizing it. The future of one of the state's most scenic places is in jeopardy. The family foundation that runs the Rose Nulman Park in Narragansett, which draws people from across Rhode Island to admire the view or surf near the Point Judith Lighthouse, says the park [will permanently close by Christmas]( because of erosion. The foundation says the park could be saved with millions of dollars in federal infrastructure funds, but members of the Town Council aren't so sure about that idea. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported eight coronavirus-related deaths and 1,078 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 18,689 negative tests, for a 5.5% positive rate. The state has reported an average of 917 new cases a day over the last seven days. There were 206 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 222 reported yesterday, with 16 in intensive care.  Atwells Avenue has become Walcott Road. If you're on Federal Hill this weekend it might be a little disorienting. The neighborhood [has been transformed into a totally different place]( for the filming of "Hocus Pocus 2." An abandoned elementary school in Providence that has been a target for vandals [is getting a $30-million renovation]( with the aim of turning it into a functional school building once again. They've been compared to a "floating Swiss army knife" and listed as one of the greatest innovations of 2021. Three 23-foot, uncrewed vessels [called Saildrones]( set out from Newport Harbor yesterday, bound for some of the roughest seas in the world, to collect climate data. There's no guarantee they'll return. Gov. Dan McKee now says it was a "misstep" to include $3,000 vaccination bonuses into a contract just negotiated with the largest labor union representing state workers. But [that doesn't mean the bonuses are going away]( A fire this morning at a Portsmouth marina [destroyed one boat and damaged another]( and sent a huge cloud of smoke billowing over Aquidneck Island. Ponaganset High School has one of the top wrestling teams in the state, and that success extends to the classroom. Three Ponaganset alums are currently competing in the Ivy League. Soon Matt Joyce, the son of Ponaganset coach Mike Joyce, [will be joining them]( They spent the equivalent of $100 million to build it, and yet no one ever fired a shot in anger from Fort Adams. But it's probably paid for itself as a tourist attraction and festival venue, and now, it's the subject of [Amy Russo's latest New to RI column]( 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