What's going on in North Providence

03/12/2026

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A North Providence man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after admitting to producing child po*******hy involving a toddler, federal prosecutors said.

Larry Albino, 52, previously pleaded guilty to producing child po*******hy, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.

The case began in September 2024 when the Rhode Island State Police received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child exploitation material being uploaded online.

Investigators determined that the IP address connected to the uploads was linked to Albino’s residence in North Providence.

Authorities said the account had been used to upload 10 videos depicting the s*xual abuse of a child.

Detectives reviewing the videos noticed details inside the rooms where the abuse occurred. They compared those images with photographs from a rental listing on Zillow associated with the property where Albino lived.

Investigators said the furniture and room layouts matched what appeared in the videos.

Within about a day of receiving the tip, police obtained a search warrant and entered the residence. Inside the home, investigators found furnishings that matched the backgrounds seen in the videos.

Prosecutors said the child in the videos was a toddler who had a personal connection to Albino.

Officials also said Albino planned to distribute the recordings in order to make money.

The completion of his sentence will be followed by lifetime supervised release.

He was also ordered to register as a s*x offender and pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim.



03/08/2026

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. — First responders were called to a vehicle fire Sunday at the plaza located at 1600 Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence.

According to initial reports, firefighters responded shortly after 11 am to the shopping plaza after a vehicle caught fire in the parking lot. Crews arrived on scene and worked quickly to bring the flames under control.

At this time, it’s unclear what caused the fire or whether anyone was injured. The incident drew attention from people in the area as smoke could be seen coming from the vehicle while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

Authorities have not released additional details, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

03/05/2026

Snowplow driver in 2024 fatal North Providence crash arrested again for DUI

WEST WARWICK, R.I. — The snowplow operator involved in a fatal 2024 crash in North Providence has been arrested again, this time on drunken driving charges. Rhode Island State Police said Lloyd Card, 32, of Lincoln, was taken into custody around 2 a.m. on Feb. 28 following a traffic stop on Legris...

03/04/2026

Update on a story we brought you yesterday:

A photo shows North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi’s personal vehicle inside the Department of Public Works garage with the hood open and one tire removed. Based on the image, it appears the truck may have required more than just a few parts and may have needed tires and possibly brake work while inside the town garage.

The vehicle is a 2006 Chevy Silverado owned by Lombardi and it is not a town vehicle.

Lombardi said the truck was used to help plow town roads during the recent blizzard and other winter storms. He said when the vehicle broke down, the DPW director offered to repair it if he paid for the parts.

The town is still recovering from the blizzard and DPW staffing is reportedly down to 16 employees. Some residents are questioning why the vehicle was repaired at a municipal facility rather than being sent to a private repair shop, including Cumberland Collision, which has been publicly linked to the mayor’s family. Others have also raised concerns about whether a private vehicle qualifies for tax exempt purchasing through the town.

Records show multiple parts were purchased through the town’s account at a reduced, tax exempt rate. Lombardi said he was waiting for the bill and did not handle how the parts were ordered.

As we previously reported, Lombardi stated his street, Evergreen Parkway, had been plowed twice during the state of emergency while nearby streets were not cleared to the same extent. Residents noted his road appeared down to the pavement while surrounding streets remained snow covered.

This is not the first time questions have surfaced regarding the use of town resources. In 2022, reports revealed town workers and equipment were used at a property he had purchased, including work connected to his Narragansett beach house. At the time, Lombardi said the employees were not on city time and that he reimbursed them. 👀💵❄️🛻

03/03/2026

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. — North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi is defending the use of town Department of Public Works employees and equipment to repair his personal truck following recent storm cleanup efforts, according to WPRI.

Video showed the mayor’s 2006 Chevy Silverado, which is not a town vehicle, inside a DPW garage on a lift while other municipal vehicles were parked outside.

Lombardi confirmed the truck is his and said it was used to help plow town roads during the recent blizzard and other winter storms. He said when the vehicle broke down, the DPW director offered to repair it if he paid for the parts.

The town is still recovering from the blizzard, and DPW staffing is reportedly down to 16 employees. Some residents are questioning why the vehicle was repaired at a municipal facility rather than being sent to a private repair shop, including Cumberland Collision, which has been publicly linked to the mayor’s family. Others have raised concerns about whether a private vehicle qualifies for tax exempt purchasing through the town.

Records show multiple parts were purchased through the town’s account at a reduced, tax exempt rate. Lombardi said he was waiting for the bill and did not handle how the parts were ordered.

As we previously reported, Lombardi stated his street, Evergreen Parkway, had been plowed twice during the state of emergency while nearby streets were not cleared to the same extent. Residents noted his road appeared down to the pavement while surrounding streets remained snow covered.

The mayor also acknowledged he uses the truck for his private businesses but maintains the damage occurred while plowing town streets.

This is not the first time questions have surfaced regarding the use of town resources. In 2022, reports revealed town workers and equipment were used at a property he had purchased, including work connected to his Narragansett beach house. At the time, Lombardi said the employees were not on city time, that he reimbursed them, and that the matter was addressed internally. More recently, there have also been questions raised about certain real estate transactions involving the mayor.

03/02/2026

A 33-year-old man has died following a police standoff at a home in North Providence, authorities said.

North Providence police responded to a residence on Towanda Drive off Fruit Hill Avenue after receiving a call from the man’s family. His mother and two brothers were inside the home but were able to safely exit prior to police arrival, according to officials.

Officers secured the area and blocked off Towanda Drive as the man barricaded himself inside. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Rhode Island State Police, assisted at the scene during the active standoff.

Authorities say the situation ended when the 33-year-old man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the residence. No officers or family members were reported to be physically injured.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained counselors for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use or mental health crisis, or emotional distress. You can also reach out if you’re concerned about a loved one. Call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org/chat.

03/01/2026

North Providence police, Rhode Island State Police, and numerous assisting law enforcement agencies are currently on scene at a residence on Towanda Drive off Fruit Hill Avenue involving what authorities describe as a barricaded individual.

The situation reportedly involves an adult male inside the home with a weapon. We observed more than 20 police vehicles in the area, including specialized units, as law enforcement works to contain the incident.

The upper portion of Fruit Hill Avenue between Smithfield Road and Smith Street is currently closed to traffic. Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.

Residents nearby can expect a heavy police presence while the situation remains active. Confirmed details remain limited at this time..

Updates will be provided as more verified information becomes available.

02/26/2026

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — A third victim has died following the deadly shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket on February 16, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Gerald Dorgan, 75, died 9 days after being critically wounded in the Feb. 16 shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition alongside his wife, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso, who were also injured in the attack.

Investigators said the gunman identified as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also went by Roberta Esposito opened fire on members of his own family seated in the stands during his son’s hockey game before taking his own life. Authorities have described the violence as a targeted, family-related incident.

Rhonda Dorgan, the shooter’s ex-wife, and their son Aidan Dorgan were killed in the stands during the initial attack. Gerald Dorgan, the father of Rhonda and grandfather of Aidan, succumbed to his injuries days later.

The shooting unfolded in front of players, families, and spectators gathered for the Senior Night matchup, sending shockwaves through the local hockey and school communities.

Victims:
• Rhonda Dorgan, 52
• Aidan Dorgan, 23
• Gerald Dorgan, 75

All three died from injuries sustained in the Feb. 16 shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.

02/25/2026

Stay tuned we will have a lot of snow photos.

02/23/2026

North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi said his street Evergreen Parkway had already been plowed twice during the ongoing state of emergency, raising questions from residents about whether other neighborhoods have received the same level of service.

The original post earlier today highlighted those comments and asked residents about their own road conditions. It was not intended as criticism of North Providence Public Works crews, who have been working around the clock in severe blizzard conditions and doing the breath that they can. We appreciate you.

The concern raised by residents centers on perceived favoritism toward the Mayor. This issue that has surfaced in the past following reports that town employees performed work at properties connected to the mayor in both North Providence and Narragansett.

Residents: has your street been plowed more than once yet?

02/23/2026

Mayor Charles Lombardi comments on NBC 10 “ they already plowed this road twice.” (Evergreen Parkway where he lives) North Providence residents how many times has your street been plowed🧐? Stay safe and send us your photos. ❄️☃️🛣️

02/19/2026

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Authorities have confirmed that a son of Pawtucket rink shooter Robert Dorgan is currently serving a federal prison sentence for setting fires at a predominantly Black church in North Providence, a connection What’s Going On in Rhode Island had been working to verify for a days before confirmation was obtained.

Investigators said Kevin Colantonio, 37, pleaded guilty in federal court to setting multiple fires along the exterior of Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries in February 2024. Court records show the fires were intentionally set near entry points of the church during overnight hours, causing damage and prompting a federal arson and civil rights investigation. He was sentenced in 2025 to more than six years in federal prison.

North Providence police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office confirmed Colantonio is Dorgan’s son. Officials said the two shared a North Providence address more than two decades ago, though investigators have not determined the extent of their relationship or contact in recent years.

The confirmed family connection adds another layer to the background of Monday’s deadly shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink, where authorities say Robert Dorgan, 56, who also went by Roberta Esposito, opened fire on relatives during a crowded Senior Night high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena before dying from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

Dorgan’s ex wife, 52, was killed at the scene and her 23 year old son, Colantonio’s half brother died at the hospital. Two other family members remain in critical condition. The family is from North Providence.

Authorities said the violence stemmed from a family dispute and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.