Latest news with #Semiquincentennial
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Providence leaders ‘actively involved' in conversations to host 2026 World Cup team
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence is looking to host one of the teams that qualifies for the FIFA World Cup next summer. The international soccer tournament will be played in 16 host cities, including Boston. Seven games will be held at nearby Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, from June 13 to July 9, and include a quarterfinal matchup. At a meeting Tuesday night of the Providence City Council's Finance Committee, the director of economic development, Ted Carr, said the city is 'actively involved' with World Cup organizers to potentially host one of the teams at Johnson & Wales University. Carr said the university would potentially house a soccer team, in addition to allowing its athletic fields to be used for practice. 'All of the requirements that are required by the organization is going to be met down there,' Carr said. 'We potentially could be the only venue with an opportunity to house a team on the Eastern Seaboard.' Earlier this month, FIFA released 14 base camp options, which the organization described as 'a training site and accommodation pairing that will serve as the primary base for teams during the group stage, where they will train, rest and prepare for their matches.' Currently, New York and New Jersey are the closest camp options to New England. A FIFA spokesperson told 12 News that more base camp options would be announced later this year. Teams will submit their final selections following a lottery that will happen sometime in December. In an interview with 12 News on Wednesday, Mayor Brett Smiley said the decision will ultimately be up to FIFA. 'I think if we had the opportunity to host a team and to really become the home base for some world-class athletes and all the fans that will come to see them as well, nothing but good things can come to the city of Providence,' Smiley said. Rachel Nunes, a JWU spokesperson, added that 'conversations are too preliminary' to share any further details. Carr also said that local hotels like The Graduate might also be a potential lodging option. He said that the city is hoping to coordinate places that fans can watch the matches if they can't get to Gillette. Carr's comments came just weeks after the head of the city's Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, Joe Wilson Jr., expressed concern about the fact Providence will also be hosting events related to the Semiquincentennial, plus Pride, Juneteenth, the Day of Portugal Festival and Puerto Rican Bay Fest during the same time the tournament is at Gillette. RELATED: Providence leaders sound alarm over 'jam-packed' summer next year with World Cup 'We need to be as prepared as we can be for this event, but also taking account what is already a jam-packed calendar between June and July,' Wilson said earlier this month. Smiley said that while it may be 'a great stress' to make sure the celebrations next summer are both fun and safe, he's confident the city can manage it. 'We know how to do big events in Providence. This is going to, I think, cause us to learn how to do even bigger events,' Smiley said. 'But we have a good track record. We just had a terrific experience hosting the NCAA basketball tournament. We've had other major events here. I think this will be the biggest event we've ever had.' Smiley said the city is in regular communication with the Boston Host Committee for the World Cup and is working closely with the Rhode Island Commerce to prepare. 'We're excited about this opportunity, and we think it's going to be great for our local economy. and it's going to put Rhode Island and Providence on the global map,' Smiley said. 12 News reached out to the Boston Host Committee on Thursday but did not immediately hear back. Carla Rojo, a spokesperson for General Treasurer James Diossa, told 12 News that while exact figures are still preliminary, an independent study has showed that the tournament could generate more than $50 million for Rhode Island. Rojo said Diossa believes that up to $5 million of combined public and private funds could be needed to support things like public safety or transportation. Rhode Island Commerce spokesperson Matthew Touchette told 12 News that the state is 'actively working with stakeholders to assess the level of support needed for the 2026 World Cup.' 'While final figures are still being determined, we expect the tournament to generate significant economic benefits for the region, and for Rhode Island in particular, given our proximity to Gillette Stadium and the unique experiences our state offers visitors,' Touchette said. The Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) asked the city to allocate $250,000 in discretionary funding to earmark for public safety related costs. (Smiley's proposed $624 million budget is still being vetted by the finance committee.) 'There's a tremendous amount of uncertainty right now in the planning and preparation for this,' PEMA Director Clara Decerbo said in a finance committee meeting last month. 'One thing we know for sure is we're going to have to be taking steps in this next fiscal year in preparation because games start on June 11.' The mayor acknowledged that there are still 'many unanswered questions' ahead of the tournament. 'This is not something that America or Boston has hosted ever before. This is the first time for all of us,' Smiley said. 'We're doing the best we can with the information that we've got. We will work through the unanswered questions in the weeks and months to come.' Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Providence leaders sound alarm over ‘jam-packed' summer next year with World Cup
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Though the 2026 World Cup is expected to generate tourism and revenue in Southern New England next summer, some city leaders are warning about the level of planning that needs to be done in Providence. 'We need to be as prepared as we can be for this event, but also taking account what is already a jam-packed calendar between June and July,' Department of Art, Culture and Tourism director Joe Wilson Jr. said last week. The international soccer tournament will be played in 16 host cities, including Boston. Seven games will be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro from June 13 to July 9 and include a quarterfinal matchup. At the same time, Providence will also be hosting events related to the Semiquincentennial, plus Pride, Juneteeth, the Day of Portugal Festival and Puerto Rican Bay Fest. 'Our cultural festivals cannot come at the expense of a lack of capacity at that time,' Wilson said. In last Thursday's meeting of Providence City Council's Committee on Finance, where the ACT department's proposed budget was under review, Wilson told Councilwoman Sue AnderBois that the department was working closely with the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in anticipation of an influx of visitors. Separately, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is beginning to meet on a monthly basis in preparation for the matches. Wilson said in addition to planning for an enjoyable visitor experience, the city needs to be prepared for potential quality of life issues related to transportation, parking and more. 'I'm from New Orleans,' Wilson said. 'When we had the Super Bowl, we're not out in the French Quarter. We stay home. There could be a very similar effect here.' Wilson also expressed concerns with how much guidance the state and city has received from FIFA. 'FIFA's a mess,' Wilson told the committee. 'We're getting some information as Boston is trying to get their situation together, as far as their activation. We as a city… we're kind of herding cats.' PEMA has already presented its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1, and asked for $250,000 in discretionary funding to earmark for public safety related costs due to the World Cup. 'There's a tremendous amount of uncertainty right now in the planning and preparation for this,' PEMA Director Clara Decerbo said in a finance committee meeting last month. 'One thing we know for sure is we're going to have to be taking steps in this next fiscal year in preparation because games start on June 11.' Mayor Brett Smiley's proposed $624 million budget is still being vetted by the finance committee. RELATED: Providence mayor seeks to raise fines for parking, pet violations On Tuesday, the committee will hear from the Department of Public Works, which is slated to move into a new complex sometime next year. The committee will also discuss a slew of proposed fines related to parking or animal violations, plus fees related to permits and licenses. Separately, the panel will also consider voting on a resolution that would authorize the city to enter into a $56 million, five-year contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island. The committee will hear budget proposals from several departments on Wednesday, including the Department of People and Culture, Office of Sustainability, Law Department, Department of Public Property and Department of Purchasing. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermont state historic sites will begin opening soon for the 2025 season with new exhibits
Vermont's historic sites are getting ready to open for another season, with Bennington Battlefield Monument leading the way on Friday, May 16, followed by Chimney Point, Hubbardton Battlefield, Mount Independence and President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site the following week, opening on Friday, May 23. The last to open will be the site of Vermont's first U.S. President, the President Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site, opening on Saturday, May 24. "The Vermont State Historic Sites present history where it happened, and provide exciting experiences for everyone," Laura Trieschmann, state historic preservation officer, said in a news release. "This year we are honoring the Semiquincentennial with events, exhibits and lectures that highlight the American Revolution, signing of the Declaration of Independence and Vermonters' role in the fight for independence." The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site has a new exhibit in the museum and education center examining how Revolutionary-era ideals shaped Coolidge's presidency. The exhibit will include a display of Revolutionary-era munitions and artefactual remnants unearthed at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont. Mount Independence will have an ornamental plaster frieze and mural depicting significant events in American history by Constantino Brumidi, artist for the U.S. Capitol in the late 19th century. Historian Willard Sterne will speak about his new biography, "John Hancock: First to Sign, First to Invest in America's Independence," at Mount Independence on June 14. On June 29, Hubbardton Battlefield will present a lecture titled "The Strong Women of Western Vermont during the American Revolution." On July 4, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Bennington Battle Monument. There will also be a parade at Plymouth Cemetery to lay a commemorative wreath from the White House to honor Calvin Coolidge on his 153rd birthday. There's more. On the weekend of July 12-13, there will be a reenactment of the 1777 Battle of Hubbardton at Hubbardton Battlefield, the only engagement of the American Revolution fought entirely on what would become Vermont soil. Senator Justin Morrill State Historic Site in Strafford and Old Constitution House in Windsor are closed this season for preservation. Bennington Battle Monument will be closed the week of June 9 for routine maintenance on the exterior of the structure. It will reopen to the public for Vermont Days on June 14. Contact Dan D'Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@ Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bennington Battlefield Monument, other Vermont historic sites to reopen
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Centre and Elk County awarded over $5k for community projects
(WTAJ) — Two Central Pennsylvania counties are among the awardees that were granted over $30,000 to help support community projects. The projects were awarded as part of the 2025 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants. The winners will be using the funds, up to $4,000 for each project, to improve the community and engage with volunteers through a project. Projects could include park and cemetery improvements, revitalization efforts, plantings, painting of community assets, river sweeps, graffiti abatement, and murals. DCNR unveils new $321K park in Johnstown Here are the two local awardees: Centre County The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace was awarded $1,700 for the restoration of the Curtin Herb Garden. Elk County Benezette Township was awarded $4,000 for an improvement project at Benezette Park. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 'At America250PA, we believe the strongest legacy we can leave for the Semiquincentennial is a Commonwealth that shows up for one another,' Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA said. 'Volunteerism isn't just something we do—it's who we are. For 250 years, Pennsylvanians have stepped up for each other in moments big and small. That's the legacy we're building on through our partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT, and PennDOT. By cleaning up our communities, we're reminding ourselves what it means to belong to one.' A full list of the 2025 awardees can be found on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermont Sen Bernie Sanders joins protesters outside City Hall in support of workers' rights; 70 arrested
The Brief May 1st brought protesters to a rally outside Philadelphia's City Hall. Hundreds of people turned out for the rally, protesting for what they say is the right of workers to be protected and valued. They were joined by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. CENTER CITY - Hundreds of hotel, stadium and airport food service workers, all members of UNITE HERE Philly Local 274 joined together in a large rally, along with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. What we know Hundreds of people from hotel workers, airport food service workers, stadium workers threatening to strike if they don't get a piece of the pie that is expected to come to Philadelphia as the city is set to host several big events, including the World Cup and America's 250th birthday, or the Semiquincentennial. The protesters were joined by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders who spoke on workers' rights, among other topics. The protesters were then set to march north on Broad Street to Vine Street. Streets shut down In advance of the rally, Philadelphia set up a network of rolling street shutdowns, accommodating the rally-goers and to keep traffic flowing in an orderly manner. The streets to be shut down were in keeping with the rally-goers movement north as they head on North Broad to Vine Street. The other side After the rally, the demonstrators did march around City Hall and up North Broad Street to Broad and Vine. That's where city officials say 70 demonstrators were arrested after allegedly blocking the intersection. They were charged with civil disobedience.
