Vandals, #34, Racing Made the News This Week

Here's our weekly look back at the news that made headlines in Johnston for the week ending June 29, 2012.

Vandals: After they changed their previous not guilty plea to no contest and admitted to driving over two town sports fields, two Johnston men were ordered to perform 20 hours' community service at those same facilities and to pay $6,500 each to repair the fields. Mayor Joseph Polisena held a press conference Monday to announced the resolution of the case. #34: After GoLocalProv.com listed Johnston near the bottom of its Best Communities list, we asked the question: Is Johnston really #34 in Rhode Island? On-Star: Johnston Police arrested a local man for stealing a car on Cape Cod after an operator from On-Star alerted officers to the incident. Campfires: We had a great photo gallery from last weekend's Campfires for Cancer event, held at …

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5 Things To Know Today

June 26: More Showers, Indoor Events

It's Tuesday, June 26, and here are your 5 Things to Know Today.

  More Showers: We had all sorts of noise and fury yesterday, and it looks as if we're in for more rain today with temps near 70. Chance of rain stays around 40 percent through tonight; mostly cloudy tomorrow with highs in the 70s. Indoor Activities: Get in from the rain for some great programs at Marian J. Mohr Library, One Memorial Ave.: Nominate: We're taking your nominations in 25 business categories for our new Readers' Choice polls — check out the entire list and post your suggestions in our comments. Case Closed — Almost: Mayor Polisena announced yesterday that two local men admitted to vandalizing two sports fields, and agreed to pay a total of $13,000 to fix the damage they caused. One of the men paid his share of the restitution…

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Week in Review: Baseball, Bricks, Surrender, Bake-Off, Arraignment

The start of baseball season, a fundraiser for the high school's athletic hall of fame, and the arraignment of the second suspect in a vandalism case made the headlines for the week ending Apr. 6.

Baseball: Opening Day for the Johnston High School varsity baseball squad was a good start to the new season last Monday, as the Panthers dropped Scituate in a 9-4 contest. Bricks: Speaking of Johnston High School athletics, Athletic Director and founder of the JHS Athletic Hall of Fame Gary Mazzie announced that memorial bricks are now available for donations toward this year's induction banquet to be held in the fall. Surrender: In our police report on Wednesday, we reported on a North Providence driver who outran a Johnston Police officer in the morning on Mar. 31 and later turned himself in at police headquarters. He earned himself a trip to the ACI as a probation violator. Bake-Off: On Thursday, we posted our video of the Durham …

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Caparrelli Pleads Not Guilty to Vandalism

The second suspect in the Mar. 2 and 3 vandalism of a Johnston soccer field appeared in Third District Court, Warwick, on Apr. 5.

Costanzo Caparrelli, 18, of 57 Taylor Rd., pleaded not guilty today to a charge of malicious damage to public property at his arraignment in Third District Court, Warwick, according to online court records. Caparrelli, the second of two suspects in the Mar. 2 and 3 vandalism of a town-owned soccer field behind Johnston High School, was released on personal recognizance until a scheduled May 18 pre-trial hearing, court records show. Johnston Police had issued an arrest warrant for Caparrelli — who stands accused of driving his vehicle, identified as a Subaru, over the wet main field at the town's soccer complex — since he had returned to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, before officers could formally arrest him. The other suspect in …

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Second Johnston Vandal Due in Court Thursday

Costanzo Caparrelli, who is attending college out of state, is expected to turn himself in at Third District Court, Warwick, for arraignment.

Johnston Police Deputy Chief David DeCesare announced in a statement this afternoon that the second suspect in the vandalism of a town-owned soccer field is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Costanzo Caparrelli, who is attending college out of state, is expected to appear in Third District Court, Warwick, for arraignment at 9 a.m. on Apr. 5 on a charge of malicious destruction of public property after police issued an arrest warrant for him. According to police, Caparrelli, 18, of 57 Taylor Rd., was one of two Johnston men who drove their vehicles onto the main field at the town's soccer complex, located behind Johnston High School, on the weekend of Mar. 2 and 3. A surveillance camera at the complex recorded two vehicles — later …

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Week In Review: DWI, Arraignment, Hygiene, Polls, School Budget

Here's your look back at the news that made the news during the week ending Mar. 23, 2012.

DWI: The Johnston Police Department reported this week that one of its officers was following a car at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning when the car was struck head-on by a vehicle that reportedly crossed the center line on Atwood Avenue. Police charged Henry Poeung, of 100 Greenwood Ave., Providence, with DWI, injury resulting. Arraignment: One of the accused soccer field vandals appeared for arraignment on Mar. 21 and pleaded not guilty. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Apr. 20. As for the field that he and another Johnston man damaged by driving on it, Parks and Recreation Director Dan Mazzulla said it will be at least the fall until the soccer pitch is ready again to host games. Hygiene: Or should it be "bye-giene?" Johnston Police are …

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Pre-Trial Date Set For Accused Soccer Field Vandal

Raymond Zinno, 18, appeared in Third District Court, Warwick, on Mar. 21.

One of two Johnston men accused of driving their vehicles over a town-owned soccer field pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of damage to public property in Third District Court, Warwick, on Mar. 21. Raymond Zinno, 18, reportedly admitted to taking his Izusu Rodeo to the soccer complex next to Johnston High School on Mar. 2 and 3 and driving across the fields there. A surveillance camera recorded his vehicle on Mar. 3 traveling over one field and proceeding toward another area being prepared for new fields. According to court records posted online, Zinno was released on personal recognizance until a scheduled April 20 pre-trial conference. Under Rhode Island state law 11-44-12, Zinno could face a fine of up to $500 and a year in …

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Damaged Field Won't Be Ready Until Fall

Parks and Recreation Director Dan Mazzulla said he's speaking with several companies about the complete replacement of the sod at the soccer complex field.

The field at the town's soccer complex, damaged by two Johnston men allegedly driving their vehicles over the turf, won't be ready for the town's soccer leagues to use until later this year, Parks and Recreation Director Dan Mazzulla said during a recent phone interview. "Right now, we're looking at the fall to reopen the field," Mazzulla explained, adding he's awaiting bids from turf companies for the repair work, which will require complete removal of the old sod and installation of a new layer of grass. "We don't want to take any chances with a kid getting hurt on an uneven surface." The new sod will need time to take root, and the sprinkler system at the soccer complex — which was also dug up by the vehicles driving over it — will need…

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OMG PD

OMG PD: Mud-Dipped 'Doughnuts'

We compile the odd, unusual, and 'oh. my gosh' police reports from Patch sites around the region.

Mud-Dipped 'Doughnuts': Two Johnston men face misdemeanor charges of destruction of public property after a surveillance camera caught them driving their cars on a muddy town soccer field and driving in circles to dig up the turf — colloquially known as "doing doughnuts." The mayor and police weren't amused, of course, and tracked down one of the 18-year-olds at the high school. When he spoke with the cops, the high schooler said he'd "heard about" the incident, then admitted he'd been involved when detectives found his truck's undercarriage caked with — you guessed it — mud. The other suspect, also 18, is a freshman in college and faces formal arrest when he returns. Too Fat For Sobriety Test: One Hopkinton woman had an interesting excuse…

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Week In Review: JNP Bounced; Parking Ban; Vandals Named; Bond Re-Fi

Did you miss any of these stories on JohnstonPatch? Here's your chance to catch up with the news that made the news for the week ending Mar. 16, 2012.

JNP Bounced: No repeat state championship for the local varsity hockey squad — on Monday, we reported that the Johnston-North Providence Cougars fell in two straight against the team they defeated last year for the D-III title, Mt. Hope High School. Parking Ban: At their meeting Monday night, Johnston Town Councilors formally added Barnes Avenue to the list of streets where parking is banned, in response to Mayor Joseph Polisena's concern that rescue vehicles ay not have been able to get down the street in an emergency because of parents parking in the roadway as they waited for their kids to leave school. Vandals Named: Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini on Wednesday announced the results of the investigation into…

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