This Just In: A link to New England's past turns up in the Gulf of Mexico

Also, a heartwarming reunion. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, March 23 [This anchor and another were found among the wreck believed to be the Industry, a brig whaler built in Westport, Mass., that hunted in the Gulf of Mexico in the 19th century.]( [A link to New England's past turns up in the Gulf of Mexico]( Also, a heartwarming reunion. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. We've still got one more night before March Madness resumes. If you're looking for something enlightening to do tonight, Common Cause Rhode Island, in partnership with the Rhode Island Press Association, the Rhode Island ACLU, the League of Women Voters and the New England First Amendment Coalition are sponsoring a virtual discussion on the future of online public meetings, now that we are (hopefully) emerging from the COVID crisis. It's from 7 to 8; to register, go to [commoncause.org]( and click on "events." Nearly 200 years ago, a whaling ship out of Westport, Massachusetts, got stuck in a squall and sunk in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, researchers announced that they have located and positively identified the remains of that ship, called Industry, off the coast of Louisiana. The find – in waters that are not commonly associated with whaling – highlights just how global that industry was in its 19th-century heyday. [As Alex Kuffner writes]( the story of the Industry, and its demise, also touches on the history of Southern slavery and the family of a prominent New England abolitionist. Last year, a Woonsocket veteran named Ron Godin made the heart-wrenching decision to give up his dog, his best friend. Godin knew he had to sober up, and he was about to check into a long-term, inpatient treatment program, so he needed to find someone else to care for his pet. But a chance encounter in a hallway at the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals changed everything. And it's why Godin [was reunited]( this week with Riley. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported two coronavirus-related deaths and 213 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 8,637 negative tests, for a 2.4% positive rate. There were 65 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals, up from 64 reported yesterday, with nine in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 169 new cases a day over the last seven days, down less than 1% from a week ago and up 18% from two weeks ago. For many renters, identifying and getting in touch with the person who actually owns their home is anything but straightforward. But a bill that would require the secretary of state [to create a database of landlords]( has brought fierce opposition over safety concerns. A problem at a privately operated treatment plant in Woonsocket has caused [partially treated sewage to spill into the Blackstone River]( since Monday. After two years of pandemic exile, [PVDFest is set to return]( this June. A Providence man [is charged with murder]( after police say they found a woman's body in a refrigerator in the Elmwood neighborhood. Meanwhile, a man facing murder charges who was released on bail by a judge, prompting an outcry from Providence officials and the victim's family, [is now charged with witness tampering]( Police in East Providence are warning the public about an unusual spate of overdoses: [four in just eight hours]( in that city. What Rhode Island restaurants do you miss? Gail Ciampa wants to know, because she's planning a walk down memory lane in next week's Food section. [Here's how to share your memories]( with Gail. Brown University's EJ Perry took one step closer toward an NFL future when [he performed in front of scouts]( yesterday at Holy Cross. And finally, while most local sports fans are focusing on college hoops, are the Patriots falling further behind in the AFC East? Football writer Mark Daniels [considers the question]( 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