From a DUI story that made national headlines to a tempest in a farmyard teapot, EG had lots of interesting news stories in 2011.
1. State Representative Bob Watson’s arrest and its fallout is still being felt, eight months after the fact. Watson, who represents East Greenwich and served as House minority leader at the time, was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana after he was stopped in a DUI checkpoint in New Haven, Conn., last April. Watson admitted to having the bag of marijuana but has said that he did not smoke it nor had he had too much to drink the night of the arrest. He said that he used the marijuana for medical purposes but had not registered with the state as a medical marijuana user. The subsequent firestorm prompted Watson to resign his majority leader position, but he has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Blood …
The School Committee chairwoman stands by panel’s new “cold cheese sandwich” policy, but says the school department needs to do a better job informing parents on the payment protocol.
The School Committee’s decision last Tuesday to limit students to a cold cheese sandwich lunch after they have already received three hot lunches with no money on account has pointed up some confusion surrounding the prepay lunch program. Some parents (including this reporter) were completely unaware that all school children from first grade through high school are able to, essentially, “charge” lunch. According to school officials, students are given an i.d. number that stays with them through their school years. At lunchtime, if they choose to buy lunch, they punch in their number on a key pad that sits next to the cashier. Then they either pay for their lunch with cash or the cost of lunch is deducted from money a parent has deposited …
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Archie R. Cole Middle School
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Sue W
11:01 pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Jen C. I agree with some of what you have listed for us uneducated "Nutrikids users." A reminder email from the schools would have been helpful before time, energy and lawyer money was spent drafting the "cold cheese sandwich policy." When the problem of outstanding accounts occurred, I'd expect the administration and school committee to ask why isn't this new program working? It's simply not … more ›