5 Things, Mar. 16: Budget, Recycle, Poll, Rain, Scoop

Budget: The Johnston School Committee held its first budget workshop last night at . Mayor Joseph Polisena has already announced his plans to keep all town departments level-funded — check back at 10 a.m. to read more from last night's meeting.

Recycle: How would you like to turn those old ink cartridges, cell phones and accessories into cash for local graduates? The , in collaboration with Northeast Recycle Group, is heading up a collection drive at local high schools in the Chamber's footprint, including Johnston High School. Contact Erren Robateau at Northeast Recycle Group at (401) 354-2991, or the Chamber office at 349-4674.

Poll: We're down to the final hours of our Readers' Choice poll on your favorite place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow — click here to add your vote and post your comments. We'll announce the winner at noon today.

Rain: Today's JohnstonPatch WeatherBug forecast calls for a chance of rain all day and through the night. Highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s. Clearing out on Saturday.

Scoop: In what was perhaps our first "real" scoop here at JohnstonPatch, we had the first report on the appointment of Timothy McLaughlin as the town's new fire chief on this date last year.