Solar eclipse; helicopter crash; Jamie Lee Curtis' brunch pick: Top stories this week

Kathleen Hill, Providence Journal

Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of April 7, supported by your subscriptions.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

Helicopter crash: Why it was collecting data for one of RI's most innovative companies

The R44 helicopter sank after a crash landing into Worden Pond in South Kingstown. The helicopter was being used in the testing of altitude sensors for REGENT Craft to develop its seaglider, a high-speed, very low-altitude vehicle they seek to deploy as a coastal water taxi.
The R44 helicopter sank after a crash landing into Worden Pond in South Kingstown. The helicopter was being used in the testing of altitude sensors for REGENT Craft to develop its seaglider, a high-speed, very low-altitude vehicle they seek to deploy as a coastal water taxi.

Two people were rescued from a helicopter that crashed in Worden Pond in South Kingstown on Tuesday morning.

The pilot was treated at the scene; the passenger was taken to South County Hospital with minor injuries, the police said. The pair were rescued by a local fisherman who happened to be in his boat nearby when the crash occurred.

The pilot and the woman flying with him were testing sensors that that determine the height at which an aircraft is flying over the water, said Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Police Chief Dean Hoxsie.

North Kingstown-based REGENT Craft, which develops electric seagliders, said one of its employees was on board as a passenger. Read on to find out how the helicopter's research figures into REGENT Craft's work on a prototype glider that could be ready this summer.

Local news:Helicopter crash: Why it was collecting data for one of RI's most innovative companies

RI teacher called students 'crop top Karen' and other names. A judge upheld his firing.

A Superior Court judge upheld the firing of a North Kingstown High School chemistry teacher who coined "distasteful" nicknames for female students, including "crop top Karen," "baby" and "babela."

Judge Stephen P. Nugent ruled that the state commissioners of education and the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education got it right when they upheld the firing of James Viner in 2015 for “good and just” cause after a student reported that he'd kissed her on the cheek. Viner’s lawyer, Carly Iafrate, declined comment.

Find out more about the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Viner and why state education officials concluded that his firing was for “good and just cause.”

Courts:RI teacher called students 'crop top Karen' and other names. A judge upheld his firing.

These big RI companies went remote in the pandemic. What do they think about the future of work?

What happened at five of the biggest companies in Rhode Island when their corporate teams went home to work remotely during the pandemic?

The world kept turning and productivity held steady, but for many employees – and their employers – the future of the office changed permanently.

That was just one of topics discussed at the University of Rhode Island's symposium on April 1 with the chief financial officers of Ocean State Job Lot, Textron, Gilbane, Washington Trust and Amica Mutual Insurance.

Some employees strongly prefer to work remotely, while others miss the camaraderie and mentoring of working in the same building as their colleagues, speakers said at the event. Many employers said they want to get employees back into the workplace, but others say remote work has dramatically expanded the pool of talent from which they can hire. Will the pre-pandemic "normal" of 9-to-5 office life ever return?

Business:These big RI companies went remote in the pandemic. What do they think about the future of work?

Celeste brings coastal European tastes to Narragansett. See what's being served.

Just some of the European fare at Celeste, in Narragansett.
Just some of the European fare at Celeste, in Narragansett.

Celeste, the latest addition to the Newport Restaurant Group, promises an innovative approach to coastal European cuisine at the site of the former Trio Kitchen + Bar in Narragansett.

Executive chef Andrew Gould and the Newport Restaurant Group’s culinary team have a brand new menu that features a raw bar, an expanded pizza selection, shareable small plates and entrees in the flavors of coastal Italy, France and Spain.

Hungry yet? Let Journal food editor Gail Ciampa guide you through the mouth-watering menu.

Dining:Celeste brings coastal European tastes to Narragansett. See what's being served.

Brunch with the stars: Jamie Lee Curtis recommends 'this lovely little' spot in Providence

A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)

In Providence, a city teeming with great restaurants, Jamie Lee Curtis knows the best spot to get brunch: Little Sister.

The actress, who is in town to film the political comedy "Ella McCay," posted a picture of her breakfast Sunday on Instagram to thousands of likes.

"If you find yourself in Providence, Rhode Island, I recommend highly this lovely little corner café @littlesisterpvd and their yummy food and drinks!," she captioned a photo of two eggs covered in hollandaise sauce covering a plate of delicious-looking food.

Little Sister, at 737a Hope St., is a Puerto Rican café, restaurant and bakery that opened in 2020. Last year, head chef and co-owner Milena Pagán was nominated for a James Beard award.

Dining:Brunch with the stars: Jamie Lee Curtis recommends 'this lovely little' spot in Providence

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Journal top stories: Solar eclipse; Jamie Lee Curtis' fave brunch spot

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