Bristol firefighters and members of the Bristol Rotary Club form a line to carry the boxes of donated food into the Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen.

There was no fire. No emergency.

Rather, these fire trucks, and firefighters were collecting food left out by residents for the Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen and Pantry Jan. 26. A week prior, bags and letters about the food drive were left on mailboxes, soliciting the community’s participation.

Dozens of volunteers sort and pack the food collected at Bank Newport Sunday.

“The Rotary Club had started this, and got the fire department involved because of all the bodies needed to get this done,” said Chris Woodard, president of the Bristol Rotary Club. “It’s a real community effort.”

Those who weren’t able to leave non-perishable items on their doorstep were invited to drop off their donations at Bank Newport on Gooding Avenue. There, dozens of volunteers sorted and packed the food for delivery to the soup kitchen later that afternoon.

In all, 4,903 pounds of food was collected, the highest amount the effort has ever garnered in its 20-plus years, Mr. Woodard said.

Residents shield their ears from the wailing sirens of the fire truck after giving a bag full of donated food to a firefighter for the food drive.

Louis P. Alfano

He was married to his dedicated and loving wife, Catherine (Boland) Alfano for 65 years.  He was 90.

A native of Bristol, his future successes were prefigured during his career at Bristol’s Colt Memorial High School, where he was president of the Senior Rostrum, sports editor of the Green and White Yearbook, and was named to the 1942 R.I. All-State Interscholastic Schoolboy League. In recognition of these numerous accomplishments, he was inducted into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame 43 years later.

In service to his country, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF) as both an enlisted man in 1943, and a commissioned office, receiving his wings in 1944 as an Aerial Navigator and Bombardier.  He served overseas as a member of the 544th Bomb Group, 740th Bomb Squad, 401st Bomb Wing and the 15th Air Force in Italy.  In addition, he participated in the Po Valley Campaign, Central Europe and the Eighth Army Surge in Northern Italy and was awarded the ETO Ribbon with a Bronze Star and one additional Battle Star.

In 1962, he was elected State Representative from the 2nd Representative District, Bristol, R.I.  He then served one year in the House, where he introduced 35 legislative bills. Most noted and enduring of these were two major House Bills calling for State Purchase of the Colt Farm in Bristol for a State Park and a $2.5 million Bond Issue Request to build a new Junior-Senior High School in Bristol.

From 1963 to 1968, Mr. Alfano served as Heart Sunday Chairman; Town Chairman and Area Chairman for the R.I. Heart Fund; State Unit Chairman of the United Fund; Chairman for the Bristol Gridiron Club’s Dinner Committee; Chairman of the Armistice Day Program; Chairman of the Spanish American War Memorial Committee and Chairman of Community Services for the Bristol Rotary Club.  In 1967, he was awarded the Gold Medallion by the American Heart Association for his Outstanding Service on behalf of the R.I. Heart Association.

In 1963, he was appointed Chief of Veterans Affairs and Commandant of the R.I. Veterans Home.  He successfully passed the Civil Service Exam for the position in 1967, and as a result; achieved permanent status in 1968.  Over the next 27 years, Mr. Alfano achieved many lasting accomplishments which continue today to positively benefit Service Veterans throughout Rhode Island.  During his tenure, three major expansions to the Veterans Home were accomplished that added 226 beds to its capacity.  In order to accommodate the Home’s growing population, he expanded the staff from 68 to 230 positions.  Improvements and expansions over the following years helped develop the R.I Veterans Home from its status as merely a rest home, to a full-fledged medical facility providing a complete range of rehabilitative services, making the Home the second largest chronic care facility in the State of Rhode Island.

Lou’s focus on veterans’ affairs stretched far past the doors of the R.I. Veterans Home.  As Chief of Veterans Affairs, he developed an outreach program for homebound, disabled veterans and played a major role in the establishment the first Veterans’ Cemetery in the State of R.I.

In both community and veterans organizations, he held numerous offices, including National President of the National Association of State Veterans and Regional President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.  In addition, he received numerous awards from State and National Veterans Organizations for his dedicated service to Veterans. The most prestigious of these awards were presented to him in 1974 by the Veteran’s Administration in Washington, D.C.; in 1975 by the National Association of State Veteran’s Homes in Tacoma, Washington; and in 1984 by the National Association of State Directors of Veteran Affairs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

One of Mr. Alfano’s most exalted and prestigious honors was bestowed upon him in 1980, when Rhode Island Governor J. Joseph Garrahy proclaimed January 30, 1980 as Louis P. Alfano, Jr. Day to commemorate his outstanding service to R.I. Veterans.  Also, Congressman Ronald K. Machtley entered Mr. Alfano’s name into the Congressional Record of the United States Congress in September of 1990 for his unselfish service to Rhode Island’s Veterans.  In May of 1990, the Providence Journal paid a special tribute to Mr. Alfano and the R.I. Veterans Home in their editorial section.  Fittingly, Mr. Alfano was also the recipient of three Governors’ Proclamations for his accomplishments and service on behalf of R.I. Veterans.

In Novermber of 1999, Governor Lincoln Almond and the Rhode Island General Assembly honored Mr. Alfano for his 27 years of service to the R.I. Veterans Home by naming the 150-bed South Building of the Home, the Louis P. Alfano, Jr. Building.

In his twilight years, Mr. Alfano continued to altruistically serve veterans through his role as Department Rehabilitation Officer for Italian-American War Veterans, Department of R.I. and on the Governor’s Advisory Council to Veterans Affairs.

In addition to his wife Catherine (Kit), he is survived by a son, Joseph P. Alfano and his wife Margot; a  daughter Colleen Ann Marshall and her husband Manny; three grandchildren, Barbara C. (Alfano) Zackowski, David M. Marshall, and Peter J. Alfano; and four great-grandchildren, David M. Marshall, Jr., Sarah Elizabeth Marshall, Emma Grace Zackowski, and Asa Joseph Valentino Alfano.

Family will receive friends on Friday, Jan. 31, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the  funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in St Mary’s Church, 330 Wood St.,  Bristol.

Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bristol.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Rhode Island Veterans Home.

Wildlife officials are asking that the public not disturb a screech owl that has nested in a tree in Colt State Park.

The small owl has perched itself in one of the trees’ cavities, a common habitat of the raptor, said Kristin Fletcher, executive director at Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island.

“You should never approach them,” Ms. Fletcher said. “If an animal is in trouble, contact us immediately and we’ll assess the situation and render help if necessary.”

The bird was spotted about a week ago by a photographer, who allegedly reported that the owl had been poked in the eye by a few kids. Ms. Fletcher inspected the bird, and discovered that it wasn’t injured.

“It’s against both state and federal law to harass a federally protected bird,” Ms. Fletcher said. “Also, it will make it worse if it’s harassed by people approaching it constantly. It’s very stressful for any kind of wild animal or bird.”

Anyone caught trying to capture the owl, or harass it could face prosecution and fines, Ms. Fletcher said.

Screech owls are nocturnal, and hunt mostly small rodents and songbirds.

To report injured wildlife, call 293-5505.

Antonio (Tony) Teixeira, 69 of Bristol, and Lake Worth, Fla., went home to God, peacefully on January 25, 2014 at RI Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Maria de Lourdes (Cabral) Teixeira.

Born in Achada de Nordeste, Sao Miguel, Azores, he was the son of the late Eugenio and  Maria do Carmo Teixeira.

Tony was very involved in the Bristol community as Bristol Town Sergeant; Member of Kaiser Neighbors and Mosaico Committees, Director of Bristol Sports, Dom Luis Filipe Society and Lincoln Club; volunteer for Leukemia and Heart Fundraisers at St. Elizabeth Church; and he also sang in the church choir. He was also a member at Montaup Country Club and was an avid golfer.

He worked at Converse Co., Scott Brass and as a Lab Technician/Manager, for TMI in Lincoln, where he retired after over 20 years of distinguished service.

He is survived by his son, Nelson and his wife Dana; and loving grandchildren, Georgia and Jacklyn; his brothers Daniel

Teixeira and his wife Goretti, and John Simas Teixeira and his wife Dora; his nephew, Jason Teixeira and his wife Elizabeth, and their daughter Mary Elizabeth; his niece Ana Oliveira and her husband John, and their daughter Natasha.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren.

His funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 in St. Elizabeth Church, 577 Wood St., Bristol. Burial will be in the North Burial Ground.

A Bristol man is being held on $50,000 surety bond at the Adult Correctional Institutions after allegedly beating up his girlfriend last Saturday.

Robert V. August, 40, of 40 Duffield Road, was arrested on two felony charges of domestic assault by strangulation and domestic assault with a blunt object on Jan. 25.

According to the police report, August’s girlfriend of six months filed a report on Sunday, alleging that Mr. August had physically assaulted her the night before. She told police that he had punched her several times in the face, bit her and put his fingers in her mouth and stretched it open, causing her lips to bleed.

She told police she was afraid to leave, “fearing that that would only cause August to get angry again.”

The two then fell asleep, the report states.

The following morning, Jan. 26, as Mr. August’s girlfriend got up to leave, he allegedly attacked her again, punching her in the face and back. As a result, she told police that she fell to the floor.

She told police that Mr. August allegedly put a choke hold on her, and then put a white braided rope around her neck and tried to strangle her.

“I thought he was going to snap my neck at one point,” she told police.

She also told police that Mr. August had allegedly told her in the past that “he would kill me before he would let me leave him.”

After that assault, she later fell asleep, the report states. When she awoke, Mr. August allegedly apologized to her profusely, telling her that he did not deserve to live.

According to the report, Mr. August’s girlfriend told police that he took an unknown amount of her medication, only to vomit later as a result. He agreed to go to a hospital in Providence, and she drove him there.

After dropping him off, she filed a domestic violence report with the Bristol Police Department. Police searched the crime scene and allegedly found blood on the bed sheets and a sweatshirt, which Mr. August’s girlfriend said she was wearing at the time. According to the report, she also showed signs of abuse: She had two black eyes and numerous marks on her face and neck.

This is not the first time Mr. August has been charged with domestic violence-related crimes. He was sentenced to a total of seven-and-a-half months in jail between 2002 and 2005 for domestic disorderly conduct and violating a protective order.

Rilyn Silva

Rilyn Silva, 18, of 12 Carol Ave., was arrested Jan. 23 on a warrant charge of delivering heroin.

During the investigation, a confidential informant for the police department allegedly bought heroin from Mr. Silva. The purchase took place on or about Jan. 8.

While being interrogated, Mr. Silva allegedly told police that he picked up heroin for other people with their money and professed that he was not selling heroin for self-profit.

According to the report, he told police that he would buy about $70 of heroin daily for the past six months, keeping about $20-worth that he had bought for his friends with their money.

Mr. Silva posted a $5,000 surety bond Jan. 23, and is due back in court April 24 for a pre-trial arraignment disposition conference.

On Jan. 10, Bristol police arrested six other Bristol residents for their alleged involvement in the sale, distribution and use of heroin.

Tim Hall, of Hall Spars, shows off the company’s solid carbon rigging (SCR) instrument to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Monday, while Pete Levesque, Business Development Manager for Hall Composites Non-Marine Division, (far right), and Ben Hall, Hall Spars Vice President, look on.

If that sounds grand, Ben Hall can assure you it is.

“When you can solve problems by reducing weight, people will buy your product,” said Ben, vice president of Hall Spars & Rigging, located in a 10,000 square-foot shop on Broadcommon Road.

Almost 34 years ago, Ben’s brother, Eric Hall and Phil Garland founded the mast and rigging company, then located on Peckham Drive. The company grew by leaps and bounds, with facilities in Holland and New Zealand, using a combination of autoclave curing and seamless carbon construction to build sailboats. Eric Hall and Mr. Garland have since parlayed that knowledge into other industries, such as aerospace, automotive, military and defense, and industrial, to name a few.

As a result, a year ago, Ben and Eric formed Hall Composites.

“By the year’s end, we’re hoping to be a second-tier supplier to Boeing,” Ben said. “It’s taken almost a year to develop that relationship.”

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, met with Ben, and a few other Halls Composites managers on Monday, for a tour showcasing the company’s capabilities.

Sen. Whitehouse toured several non-marine trade businesses in Rhode Island last week, gathering information he’ll use to host a summit for those businesses.

“We want to try to help them market their business to a broader audience,” Sen. Whitehouse said. “And we have the ability to do that.”

Initially, Sen. Whitehouse hoped to have the summit this spring. However, after sharing the event’s agenda with several in the industry, he was advised to re-shaped the agenda, making it more beneficial to those in non-marine trades.

“These businesses have an enormous capacity to create economic growth in Rhode Island,” Sen. Whitehouse said.

Pictured, from left, are Ms. Burns, Ms. Mansmann, Ms. Sousa, and Mr. Lahoud.

CSP students had to fill out an application describing what they loved about their instrument, the name of their favorite piece of music that they’ve heard in their CSP class, and their favorite memory being in CSP.

“Aaela answered that she’d like to continue playing the cello because she loves her music teacher and dreams about being in an orchestra,” said Cheryl Burns, executive director of CSP.

It is the first time the non-profit organization has ever awarded a scholarship, which will cover the cost of two semesters of music lessons and will be applied retroactively for Ms. Mansmann, said Ms. Burns.

The scholarship is named after Bethany Sousa, who, along with Bob Arsenault, current music teacher at Mt. Hope High School, spearheaded the creation of Community Strings Project.

The scholarship is funded by Brandon Lahoud, a former CSP music instructor whose full-time job didn’t leave much room for teaching. Both he and Ms. Sousa are no longer actively teaching.

For most members, renting a violin costs about $200 a year, and the lessons are about another $360. However, the program is affordable for students who meet the criteria for subsidized instruction.

Bristol Town Council reappointed several residents to position of assistant harbormaster Wednesday night, and Matt Calouro wasn’t one of them.

Councilors voted to approve the reappointments of those residents listed in a recommendation letter by Harbormaster Gregg Marsili: Thomas Guthlein, Alan Leach, Charles Lombardo, Scott Marino, John Motta and Adam Salinaro.

Mr. Calouro was the only applicant whose request was not approved.

“I wasn’t able to evaluate him because he wasn’t around last year,” Mr. Marsili later said.

Mr. Calouro had been out on medical leave since June 12 last year. He was employed by the town as interim harbormaster, a position he held since 1999, until Mr. Marsili was hired by the town as the harbormaster at the end of last May.

He was later appointed to an assistant harbormaster position, but never logged any hours, Mr. Marsili said.

“He was the only one who didn’t come in at all,” he said.

Councilors also passed over Mr. Calouro’s request to be appointed as Bristol’s harbormaster, reappointing Mr. Marsili.

Mr. Calouro was also the assistant harbormaster in Warren, but did not seek reappointment for that position. A medical condition kept him from working that post last year, also.

Warren Town Manager Thomas Gordon said he received information that Mr. Calouro “was unable” to seek reappointment. Mr. Gordon would not clarify, citing confidentiality in dealing with personnel matters.

Mr. Calouro was unable to be reached for comment.

The following items are among the Bristol Police log Jan. 21 – 26, 2014: 

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Police were called to Almeida Court Apartments at 4:47 a.m. for a fireworks complaint.

The cousin of a Varnum Street resident discovered the resident “expired” when he went to visit him.

A caller reported a 12-year-old child was left home alone on St. Elizabeth Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

A caller asked for a welfare check on livestock that were out in the water at Raposo Farm.

Christopher Milia, East Hampton, NY, was arrested on charges of possessing marijuana, a first offense.

A Peckham Place caller reported that snow was being plowed onto his grass.

John Furtado, 63, of 51 Walley St., Bristol, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct.

Jake. C. Kearney, 22, of Duxbury, Mass., was arrested on charges stemming from a 2nd District Court bench warrant, and driving with a revoked license.

The landlord of a Murphy Avenue home asked for police presence at the home while he turned the heat back on. There was a woman present making threats.

A Jenny Lane resident reported getting suspicious phone calls asking for personal information.

Thursday, Jan. 23

A Terrace Drive resident reported seeing suspicious men in the area knocking on doors. They allegedly claimed that the power was going to be turned off for a few minutes.

A Narrows Road resident reported possible suspicious activity at her home. Someone was in her yard at some point; there were footprints in the snow.

Cumberland Farms employees called police to report that a young child was in the store, saying he couldn’t find his mother.

Ryan T. Albanese, 23, of Pembroke, Mass., was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and two counts of simple assault/battery.

Friday, Jan. 24

Police were called to an area of Richmond Street for a report of people being loud in the area. There were no issues; the people were on their way home from an evening out.

A caller reported seeing a van parked outside Island Child Care with the door open and a purse inside. Officers spoke with the owner; no problems.

Animal Control and wildlife rehabilitators responded to an area of Franca Drive to help free a few ducks that were stuck in the ice. They were also called to free about a dozen swans that were stuck in the ice near Everett Street.

John C. White, 45, of 11 1/2 Second St., Bristol, was arrested on charges of DUI, greater than .15.

Saturday, Jan. 25

A Sefton Road resident called police to report that several noisy “college” kids were in the area at 12:23 a.m.

Kaitlin M. Martel, 22, of 1 San Juan Drive, Bristol, was arrested on a warrant affidavit charge.

Police responded to a Wood Street home for the removal of an unwanted person.

Sunday, Jan. 26

Eileen Mills, 59, of Pawtucket, was arrested on charges of driving with an expired license and charges stemming from a 6th District Court bench warrant.

Charles Martel, 29, of Warren, was arrested on charges of felony aggravated assault.

A State Street caller asked to speak to police about a nearby neighbor reportedly spitting on her.

A Sousa Street resident called police, reportedly hearing a “hum” in the area.

From left, Emily Cordeiro, Mikayla Zupuis, and Danah Sullivan brain storm ideas for their PSA about dating violence.

The skit is serious in nature, but a little bit of laughter helped ease their anxiety.

Danah Sullivan, 15, was acting as the boyfriend in the scenario, while Mikayla Zupuis, 16, was the girlfriend.

The two were pretending to be riding in a car. Mikayla was driving.

Suddenly, a text came through on Mikayla’s phone.

“Who’s this?” Danah asked. “Who’s Alex?”

“She’s a girl from my psychology class,” Mikayla replied, jovially. “We have plans tonight.”

“No, you’re hanging out with me tonight,” Danah shot back, her voice rising. “I own you, so you’re not going anywhere.”

Stunned, Mikayla defended herself, announcing that Danah didn’t own her.

With that, the argument became physical. Danah tried choking Mikayla, who swerved off the road and crashed as a result.

This is an example teen dating violence.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Though the interlude was brief, it has lasting effects.

According to a 2001 study published by the Journal of American Medical Studies, teens in violent relationships are at a greater risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.

Half of those teens who are victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide, the study concluded.

“Anecdotally, we have both seen a student’s ability to be successful in school be terribly affected if they are a victim, especially if there is previous trauma,” said Deb Knapman, a licensed clinical social worker who works with students at Mt. Hope High School.

To raise awareness and combat teen dating violence, a girls’ group at Mt. Hope High School is producing several skits about the topic, which will be broadcast throughout the day on the Husky News Network for the month of February. Advocates of the cause have designated that month to raising awareness about it.

“We’re hoping that students learn more about it and take steps to prevent it,” said Alex Neris, 16, who’s working alongside Danah and Mikayla.

Videographer Kylie McPherson chats with a group about making a PSA about dating violence. Kylie is a student at Mt. Hope High School and works with the school’s Husky News Network.

Teen relationships at Mt. Hope are common, but what goes on between a couple is largely private, Danah said. If there is an issue of abuse, the only ones who might know about it are the victim’s best friends.

“She’ll just say that nothing is going on,” Alex said. “It’s embarrassing to admit you’re being abused by your boyfriend.”

Instances of teen dating violence are not common at the high school, according to Colleen Powers, facilitator of the girls’ group. But they do happen.

“More often than not, students will know about an instance of abuse before adults do,” Ms. Knapman said.

Teen dating violence isn’t just physical, Ms. Powers said. It’s also emotional, verbal, mental and sexual. The girls’ skits will encompass all those aspects.

“Students often don’t know how to respond when a friend is in an abusive relationship,” Ms. Knapman said. “We are teaching them how to listen and offer emotional support.”

YES to success

The girls’ group — YES (Youth Experiencing Success) — is directed by Ms. Powers, a member of the high school faculty. The group started out two years ago as a project targeting at-risk youth, helping them to develop healthy relationships, empower themselves and increase self-esteem.

“They’ve been identified as at-risk based on a variety of reasons, such as home life or recommendations from their guidance counselor,” Ms. Powers said.

The program hosts about 20 girls a week, and is funded by a Bristol Warren Education Foundation Grant, which covers supplies and possible field trips.

In order for students to participate, their parents must sign off on a permission slip, and understand that the group fosters an environment of privacy.

“It’s a safe place,” Ms. Powers said. “They know that what is discussed here, stays here, to an extent.”

While dating violence is discussed in general in the students’ health classes, that environment is often anxiety-producing for someone in an abusive relationship, Ms. Powers said.

“Those classes are co-ed,” she said. “And we’re trying to give them another place that they can talk about things safely.

“We reinforce what’s taught in health class, but what’s discussed here is confidential.”

Dorothea (Doran) Florenzano, 91, passed away Jan. 29, 2014.  \She was the wife of the late Alphonse Florenzano.

A lifelong resident of Bristol, she was born on July 24, 1922 to the late Joseph E. and Kathryn (Taylor) Doran.

Mrs. Florenzano worked for P.F. Industries for 35 years before retiring in 1977.

She leaves family in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with a special acknowledgment to her caregivers, Amy and Corey.

Her funeral service and burial was private.

Arrangements respectfully made by Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home, www.wilbur-romano.com.

Laura (Carreira) Marabello, 85, formerly of Sampson Street, Bristol, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, at the home of her sons, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the wife of the late Domenic G. Marabello.

Born in Bristol and a resident most of her life, she was a daughter of the late August and Mary Carreira.

Laura attend East Providence Schools, she was the floral designer for the former Marabello Florist in Bristol for several years.  She also worked at various Rhode Island businesses, including American Tourister and A & Z Hayward.

Laura was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol.

She is survived by three children, Gaetano D. and Domenic A. Marabello, Rita A. Pinto and her husband, Paul D.; two grandchildren, Paul S. Pinto and Anneliese Marabello; a sister, Agnes Paiva and a brother Manuel Carreiro.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by, six brothers: Joseph, August “Jerry”, John, Anthony, Marion and Sebastian Carreira; and a sister, Mary Fratiello.

Her funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 141 State St.

Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 4 – 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, RI Chapter, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 or online at www.alz.org.

For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com.

Bristol-Warren has canceled all afternoon school activities, COZ, and there will be no late buses today, as a result of the snow.

Forecasters are predicting a steady snowfall through late afternoon until 6 p.m., with an accumulation of about 3-to-5 inches.

Caterina “Kay” (Femino) Cavalieri, age 90, of Congregational Street in Bristol, died Wednesday Jan. 29, 2014, at Grace Barker Nursing Home in Warren.

She was the loving wife of the late Frank Cavalieri, her husband for 50 years.

Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Stefano and Maria (Sorrentino) Femino.

She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School, and after high school worked at the Pentagon during WWII.

Caterina was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her Catholic faith.  She was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and belonged to the Holy Rosary and Altar Society, The Nocturnal Adoration Society and The Daughters of Isabella (Hope Circle).

She also was a member of the Third Order Franciscans.

She loved the outdoors and enjoyed mushrooming, clamming and playing bocce. She was also a great dancer and enjoyed playing scrabble, bowling, card playing, and spending time with her family especially her many beautiful grandchildren.  She was an excellent cook and baker and in her later years spent many hours making Rosary beads to send to the missions.

She is survived by seven sons and three daughters: Domenic and his wife Carol, Frank II, and his wife Marge, Joseph, Anthony and his wife Cindy, Stephen and his wife Betty-Ann, Peter and his wife Julie, Paul and his wife Julie all of Bristol. Irene Diggs of Moreno Valley, California, Mary and her husband Rick Nelson of Coventry and Trisha and her husband Kieran “KC” Carroll of Bristol.

In addition to her children, she is also survived by 22 grandchildren: Trisha and her husband John Paul Cloutier, Ann Marie and her husband Peter Donnelly, Jamie and his wife Tiffany, John Diggs, David Diggs and his wife Rathsany, Paul Diggs, Frank III, Peter, Jesse, Adam, Michael and his wife Shannon, Dominic, Stephen J., Douglas, Katie LeCornu and her husband Jared, Ricky Nelson, David and his wife Tabitha, Tami, Kristen, Casey Carroll, Shawn Carroll, and Erica and her husband  Brian  Almeida; 16 great-grandchildren: Lauren and Rachel Cloutier, Catherine and James Donnelly, Brody Cavalieri, Alyssa and Nico Kash, Frank Cavalieri IV , Cynthia Joanne, Nicole, Violet and Vincent Cavalieri, Toni Jade Cavalieri, Ryker LeCornu, Cara Cavalieri and Tyler and Brayden Almeida, and two little girls due later this year, baby Lecornu due in May and Little Caterina Diggs due in June.

She is also survived by siblings Placido Femino of North Smithfield, and Steffa (Femino) Lomastro of North Carolina.

She was also the sister of the late Stefano Femino, Rose Mary Femino, Josephine Martineau, Anna Femino, Jennie Passarelli, Mary Gemma, Santa Bowman, Salvatore Femino, Peter and Anthony Squillacci.

Her funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 1, with a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. The main celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Henry Zinno and the homily was given by Fr. Stephen Dandeneau.  Liturgical readings were read by Rachel Cloutier and Catherine Donnelly. The Offertory gifts were presented by Lauren Cloutier, Toni Cavalieri and James Donnelly.

Burial followed in North Burial Ground.

Serving as pallbearers were Jamie Cavalieri, Michael Cavalieri, Frank Cavalieri III, Douglas J. Cavalieri, David Cavalieri and Casey Carroll.

Mary D. (Furtado) Careiro, 93, of Metacom Avenue passed away on Jan. 30, 2014, at her daughter’s home in Snow Camp, N.C.

She was the wife of the late Frank P. Careiro.

Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Ermelinda (Medeiros) Furtado.

Mary was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School and then worked at for Carr-Fulflex for 10 years, and then started a new career with the Visiting Nurses of Bristol County where she was a caregiver for 20 years.

She was a former member of the Holy Rosary Sodality of St. Elizabeth Church.

She is survived by her daughter Celeste and her husband Dr. Timothy J. Mulrooney of Snow Camp N.C.; her son Max Careiro of Ocala, Fla.; grandchildren, Dr. Timothy J. Mulrooney, Jr., Michael P. Mulrooney, Vanessa Careiro and Meghan Careiro; great grandchildren Roxanna Mulrooney, Dylan Mulrooney, Caitlin Mulrooney; and her sister Irene Victoria, of Vt.

She was the sister of the late James Furtado and grandmother of the late Shawn D. Mulrooney.

Her funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8, at 10 a.m. from the George Lima Funeral Home, 367 High St., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Elizabeth Church, 577 Wood St.

Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bristol.

Visiting hours are will be on Friday from 4 – 8 p.m.

Manuel Gomes, 79, of Woodlawn Avenue, passed away on Jan. 30, 2014  at Philip Hulitar Hospice Center.

He was the husband of Victoria dos Santos (Cardoso) Gomes.

Born in Maceira, Leiria, Portugal, he was the son of the late Januario and Maria da Encarnacao Gomes.

Manuel was the father of Maria Gomes DeCastro of Cranston, Victor Manuel Gomes of Cumberland and Lori Gomes Valerio of Bristol; grandfather of Raquel Maria DeCastro, Shawn Manuel DeCastro, Jessica Rose Gomes Lavoie, Vanessa Marie Gomes and Joseph Peter Valerio; great-grandfather of Andre Manuel Carvalhana.

He was the brother of Joaquim “Jack” Gomes of Warren, Maria da Encarnacao Gomes of Portugal and the late Jose, Augusto, Antonio, Januario Gomes and Maria do Rosario Ferreria.

Manuel was a cabinet-maker for CJ Pearson for 30 years before retiring.  He was a member of the Lincoln Club and the Dom Luiz Filipe Association Man of the Year for 1990.

His funeral services were held Feb. 4, from the George Lima Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Luis Garcia at St. Elizabeth Church. Liturgical readings were by Fernanda Costa and Raquel De Castro. The offertory gifts were presented by Raquel De Castro, Jessica Lavoie and Vanessa Gomes. The eulogy was given by Antonio Estrela.

Burial followed in North Burial Ground.

Serving as pallbearers were Shawn De Castro, Henrique Ferreira, Gregg Lavoie, Joseph Valerio, William Gomes and Luis Ferreira.

Memorial donations may be made to Philip Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main St, Providence, RI, 02904.

The Town of Bristol will be implementing a parking ban starting Wednesday at midnight, and will remain in effect until further notice.

A copy of the email memo sent out to faculty, students and staff at Roger Williams University today.

Officers from Dartmouth Police Department and Massachusetts State Police surrounded the 209 Richard St. home, around 11 a.m. this morning after Dartmouth police received a well-being request by the Bristol Police Department.

“Bristol received notification from Roger Williams that this individual had forwarded to the university what we’re calling credible threats,” said Dartmouth Police Det. Kyle Costa.

The former student, a man in his mid-30s, Det. Costa said, does own guns.

“We weren’t able to make contact with him upon arrival,” Det. Costa said. “And when we learned that he did have firearms in the home, we determined that the officers should pull out of the house.

“We’re at a stand-still now, and hoping for a peaceful resolution.”

The Public Affairs Office at Roger Williams University circulated an email to its students, faculty and staff this morning, alerting them to the increased police presence on campus.

“Earlier this morning, a small group of faculty and administrators at RWU Law received an email…that included threatening language and raised concerns,” the email states. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Bristol Police will remain an active presence on the Roger Williams campus until the suspect is confirmed to be in custody.”

According to Bristol Police Dep. Chief Steven Contente, the situation is currently under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts police, however the man in question will face charges in Bristol.

Det. Costa said that the man does live with family and that he is not a person “who typically stands out.”

A winter storm making its way across the Midwest is expected to bring upwards of six inches of snow to the East Bay area early tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, starting at midnight tonight until 6 p.m. Wednesday. The morning snowfall will give way to rain and sleet around 9 a.m. Light snow or flurries may develop later in the day. Travel will be slow at best on well-treated surfaces.

The following East Bay towns have issued closures and parking bans:

• Little Compton: No school
• Portsmouth: No school
• Tiverton: No school, parking ban effective Wednesday at 12 a.m.
• Warren: No school, Parking ban effective Wednesday at 12 a.m.
• Bristol: No school, Parking ban effective Wednesday at 12 a.m.
• East Providence: Parking ban effective Tuesday at 11 p.m.

The State of Rhode Island will enact its adverse weather policy, starting tomorrow for shifts starting between 6:52 a.m. and ending at noon. In the event employees are unable to report for work on a regular scheduled workday, or are unable to complete their work schedule because of adverse weather conditions, with approval from their supervisor, they will be granted permission to discharge annual leave, personal leave, or leave without pay at the employee’s option.

State government will remain in full operation throughout the snowstorm.

National Grid has also issued a release, warning customers of potential power outages.

“While we have mobilized additional crews and equipment resources to restore any outages as swiftly as possible, we still advise customers to be prepared for service interruptions,” the release states. “It’s a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home.”

Click here to report an outage, or call 1-800-465-1212.