MA Man Admits To Attempted Child Sex Charges In RI | Patch PM

Welcome to Thursday's edition of Patch PM. Here's a look at the headlines you may have missed from around Rhode Island today.

Today's top story

A Massachusetts man admitted to coming to Rhode Island in May 2018 in an attempt to have sex with two underage girls. Cody Hansen, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of attempted enticement of a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct in U.S. District Court.

Hansen believed he was communicating with the father of two girls, aged 12 and 8. He was actually speaking with an undercover Rhode Island State Police detective. He now faces up to life in prison.

Read the full story here.

New mask mandates

Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said this week that despite the new mandates going into effect next week, unmasked churchgoers should not be turned away from weekly Mass.

Under the executive order, venues of assembly with capacities of 250 people or higher must require universal mask wearing, regardless of vaccine status. Smaller venues can either require proof of vaccination or require indoor mask-wearing.

Read the full story here.

Thursday's other headlines

• Former Student Says Ex-N. Kingstown Coach Molested Him During Naked Fat Tests: Report: The ex-student said, since the age of 13, he was sexually molested by Aaron Thomas on a quarterly basis during high school.
• Newport Woman Accused Of Abandoning Emaciated Dogs In Portsmouth: Joneya Mack, 29,was charged three weeks after two dogs were found emaciated outside the Gardner Seveney Sports Complex.
• Wintry Weather Expected To Bring Messy Mix To RI This Weekend: Snow, sleet and freezing rain are all expected as the system makes its way across Southern New England.