This Just In: Remembering a great editor

Also, the great unmasking of Rhode Island, take 2. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, February 9 [BOSTON, MA.-Tues., April 10, 2007 REDSOX_MM_09--Providence Journal sports editor Art Martone calls in his report from the seats behind home plate as the Boston Red Sox take batting practice at the home opener at Fenway Park. Providence Journal Photo by Mary Murphy PROJOSOX]( [Remembering a great editor]( Also, the great unmasking of Rhode Island, take 2. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. I start today with sad news: former Providence Journal sports editor Art Martone , who was my boss for three years, died this morning, a few weeks after being stricken with a rare neurodegenerative illness. Art was one of the best bosses I've ever had. He approached the job of running the sports department with the enthusiasm of a fan, and the savvy of a serious newsman. Whatever positive qualities I have as an editor, I owe a lot of them to Art's guidance and example. Our columnist Mark Patinkin is working on an appreciation of Art that will be online later today. Following in the fresh footsteps of Democratic governors from New York to California, Gov. Dan McKee [announced plans to lift Rhode Island's indoor mask mandate]( effective Friday. The state mandate requiring masks in schools will end March 4, but districts still have the ultimate decision on requiring masks in their own buildings. The announcement came just hours after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he was [lifting his state's school mask mandate]( effective Feb. 28. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported four more coronavirus-related deaths and 635 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 11,878 negative tests, for a 5.1% positive rate There were 279 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 288 reported yesterday, with 37 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 697 new COVID cases a day over the last seven days, down 40% from a week ago and down 71% from two weeks ago. A Warwick man who was one of the first two people charged with defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program back in the early days of the pandemic [has been sentenced]( but his punishment was not as severe as what was given to a Massachusetts man implicated in the same scheme. In case you hadn't noticed, it's pothole season. And one survey says Rhode Island is the "[pothole capital of the United States]( although those people must not realize that we're actually an entire state. As I can say from experience, if you hit one of these craters, it can be an expensive and annoying proposition. Here are [some questions and answers]( from the pothole capital's Department of Transportation on what to do to get reimbursed for your trouble. The same inflationary factors that have driven up the cost of food and consumer goods are having an impact on rents, and rental inflation in Providence is running higher than in several of the country's most pricey markets. Unfortunately for renters, [there appears to be no end in sight]( For a three-year period from 2017 to 2019, there were two homicides in the city of Pawtucket. Over a nine-day period earlier this year, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1, there were three. That spasm of violence [has raised concerns]( among city leaders. 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]( © 2022 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902