April 4, 2019

LET’S SWEEP! CITY REMINDS RESIDENTS TO SWEEP SIDEWALKS
STREET SWEEPING BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 8
WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Spring has sprung and the City of Woonsocket is excitedly
ushering in the season with the launch of its Annual Street Sweeping Program on Monday, April 8, 2019 beginning in the North End. District sweeping is on a rotating basis.
As the City works to officially clear away winter and remnant traces of its harsh weather, city officials expect to collect 25 to 30 percent less waste compared to prior years. “We believe our approach to pre-treating streets with liquid brine and salt in advance of winter storms has truly placed us light years ahead as we head into spring cleanup of City streets,” said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.
Department of Public Works Director Steven D’Agostino values the overall net gain of the City’s decision to switch to liquid brine. “The City purchased 465 tons of sand this winter season compared to 3,800 tons in 2013 – a significant difference that clearly shows a benefit of utilizing brine,” stated Director D’Agostino.
“Less sand to sweep from the streets during spring cleanup is environmentally beneficial due to less sand washing into storm drains and ultimately rivers and streams,” noted Mayor Baldelli-Hunt.
Residents whose property abuts a sidewalk are reminded to please sweep dirt and other particles into the street for City sweepers to clear away.
Street sweeping will begin in all other districts upon completion of the North End area.
-30-

A retaliatory strike against Iran has been launched by Israel. U.S. officials confirm missiles have struck a number of locations inside Iran, with no word yet on whether there were any casualties. Several explosions were reported near an airbase in the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to a number of sites linked to Iran's nuclear program.        Former President Trump's hush money criminal trial in New York City has found its 12 jurors. Now six alternates must be selected. That process resumes later this morning.        A near miss on a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, DC has sparked a FAA investigation. It happened Thursday morning when a plane crossed the runway as another was starting its take off. The planes - one a Southwest flight, the other JetBlue - reportedly came within just 300 feet from each other.       Taylor Swift's new album has finally dropped. "The Tortured Poets Department" is already getting praise from critics, who are calling it "wildly unguarded," a "cathartic confession" and "unapologetically dramatic."        Writers for "Sesame Street" have voted to strike. This, after the Writers Guild of America held a vote that saw all 35 writers authorize a strike if an agreement on a new contract can't be reached. The NHL's Arizona Coyotes are moving to Utah. The league's Board of Governors approved the sale of the team to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith Thursday. The franchise will play in Salt Lake City starting next season.