money Top stories this week: 'Stolen Valor' fraud; bank jitters; zeppole guide
Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of March 12, supported by your subscriptions.
With the collapse of two U.S. banks triggering fears about the stability of the nation's banking system, Antonia Noori Farzan looks back at the chaos of Rhode Island's own banking crisis of the 1990s. More than $1.2 billion in deposits were frozen, Gov. Bruce Sundlun was hanged in effigy, and demand at food banks soared, as many depositors lost access to their money for a year or longer. Here's how it all unfolded — and how the state changed as a result.
It was deja vu all over again for Providence College with Friday's 61-53 loss to Kentucky, marking their second straight season that ended against a blueblood in the NCAA Tournament. The Journal's Bill Koch analyzes how a season so full of promise crash-landed down the stretch, and looks at rising speculation that head coach Ed Cooley will be moving on to a Big East rival. For that and other coverage of college and high school sports, go to providencejournal.com/sports.
When Tiverton’s Jaime Kielec runs the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17, it will be more poignant than the previous three she has run. That's because it will mark the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Kielec, who was at mile 20 when the bombs went off, shares her memories of that surreal and heartbreaking day, and why she's "never been more motivated to cross a finish line."
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Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:
RI woman in 'stolen valor' fraud case sentenced to prison. Here's how long she'll serve.
Sarah Cavanaugh, the now-infamous imposter who for years posed as a disabled Marine veteran, garnering sympathy and more than $250,000 from charity groups, arrived at federal court Tuesday with plans to see her therapist when she got home from her sentencing.
But she left the courtroom in handcuffs, headed straight to prison to begin a 70-month sentence for a scam that a prosecutor said “plumbed the depths of moral depravity.”
In speaking to the court, Cavanaugh said, in part, "I'm sorry for what I did and the people I hurt. I know the damage cannot be undone. ... I will always carry the burden of shame for what I've done."
Courts: RI woman in 'stolen valor' fraud case sentenced to prison. Here's how long she'll serve.
Which RI restaurants host the most political fundraisers? The menu is surprisingly small
The General Assembly is in session, which means it's fundraiser season. Most nights, when they leave the State House, policymakers and the people seeking to influence them immediately head to that evening's event.
A few bars and restaurants are the site of fundraiser after fundraiser. In a state known for the breadth and depth of its culinary scene, why do so many take place at the same venues? Political Scene looks at the go-to destinations for state officials, lawmakers and lobbyists.
Politics: Which RI restaurants host the most political fundraisers? The menu is surprisingly small
The RI state pension fund had a stake in SVB and Signature Banks. Here's how much it could lose.
The Rhode Island pension fund has a stake — albeit a relatively small one — in the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
State Treasurer James Diossa's office confirmed that the $10.3 billion state pension fund has holdings in the two closed banks — and two others described as "stressed" — that were valued at $2.7 million on Feb. 28 and $185,000 on Monday.
The $185,000 is the much-reduced value of the state's holding in First Republic Bank that, as recently as Feb. 28, was valued at $774,963.
Banking: The RI state pension fund had a stake in SVB and Signature Banks. Here's how much it could lose.
Don't know where to score your zeppole? Try these 10 RI bakeries
March 19 in Rhode Island is all about zeppole, a pastry some say is in the shape of St. Joseph’s hammer to commemorate his feast day. It used to be that zeppole could only be had on that one day, but no more, as they are now a seasonal treat.
It seems that every bakery in Rhode Island, some restaurants and even grocery stores make zeppole. But they're not all created equal. Food editor Gail Ciampa has a curated guide to help you find your favorite, whether it's a traditional version filled with pastry cream or something made with ricotta cheese, chocolate cream or even Irish cream.
Food: Don't know where to score your zeppole? Try these 10 Rhode Island bakeries
A historical Narragansett church fell into disrepair. Now it's two million-dollar homes.
Narragansett's Boon Street Church revival, which transformed a towering three-story church into two million-dollar homes, manages to both stand out and blend into the surrounding neighborhood, owing to its meticulous design.
The exterior is architect Craig Miller’s careful reconstruction based on a photo of what the church looked like in the 1800s, when it was considered the finest example of Carpenter Gothic architecture in the country. The inside, however, which is split into two high-end residential spaces, is his original design. Take a tour of the finished product, inside and out.
Real estate: A historical Narragansett church fell into disrepair. Now it's two million-dollar homes.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: 'Stolen Valor' fraud; bank jitters
