Cooling Centers Open + Mayor Touts Arts Economy

Welcome to the Pawtucket Patch Daily — your quickest way to get caught up on the city's top news stories. I'm your host, Mary Serreze. I can be reached at [email protected]. Feel free to send me your news tips, thoughts, and ideas.

First, today's weather: Humid and mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 93, low: 73.

Here are the top stories in and around Pawtucket today:

1. It's hot out. With that in mind, the City of Pawtucket has opened cooling centers, and people without air conditioning are welcome to stop by and chill out. (Pawtucket Patch)
2. A man accused of shooting at Providence police, barricading himself inside a house, and leading authorities on a manhunt has been apprehended. (GoLocalProv)
3. Pawtucket's vaccination rate remains low, and the city is trying to do something about it. Officials say the Darlington and Woodlawn neighborhoods need a boost. (The Valley Breeze)
4. In an opinion column, Mayor Donald R. Grebien says that arts and economic development go hand-in-hand, and talks about Pawtucket's track record. (Pawtucket Patch)
5. Should masks be required in Rhode Island schools this fall? Governor Dan McKee and two of his likely challengers — Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and General Treasurer Set Magaziner — hold contrasting views on the topic. (WPRI)

Send flowers today to someone you care about. Our partners at FTD are making that easier by offering Pawtucket Daily readers a 15 percent discount on orders through this link: Click here to make someone feel awesome.

August 12 in Pawtucket:

• Free summer concerts continue at Slater Park. Gary Hopp & Friends perform at the Daggett Farm stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• The Pawtucket Purchasing Board meets at 4 p.m. Among other things, the board seeks to advertise an RFP for a Front Street Master Plan. (agenda)

Pawtucket Patch Notebook

• Pawtucket Animal Shelter: "As temperatures rise the next few days, please protect your pets!" (Facebook)
• Pawtucket Police Department: "It’s going to be a HOT one!" (Facebook)

That's it. You're all caught up. If you like this newsletter, sign up and tell your friends. It's simple, but it keeps us rolling. Let me know about your community events. Have a good day out there. -Mary

About me: Maine native, UMass Amherst Regional Planning alum. Stick-shift driver, explorer. I believe in good government and the public's right to know. Interested in just about everything. I still like paper maps. I can be reached at [email protected].