The Valley Breeze

1 week ago | valleybreeze.com | Jacquelyn Moorehead

SMITHFIELD – The family of Emily Halloran Otrando has kept her legacy alive by collecting more than 25,000 books for Books are Wings since the 10-year-old’s unexpected death in 2014. This year, Otrando’s cousin, Michael “Moe” Villandry, placed collection boxes at Smithfield High School, Gallagher Middle School, and Pleasant View Elementary School to collect books in her honor until May 15. Villandry is mainly collecting books for readers in preschool through grade 12.

1 week ago | valleybreeze.com | Corey Plante

WOONSOCKET – It’s a big, bright, beautiful world out there where every dream comes true ... but not for you. That’s what Shrek’s parents tell him at the start of “Shrek the Musical” when, as all ogre parents do, they send him away at age 7 to find his own bog, marsh, swamp, or other hovel. It’s a bittersweet moment played for laughs that works only because of how well we all know Shrek’s self-deprecating humor and good nature.

1 week ago | valleybreeze.com | Jacquelyn Moorehead

SMITHFIELD – No explanation has been offered as to why the owner of the property containing the old Overbrook Academy abruptly canceled the purchase a day after the Town Council approved it on April 29. Last week, The Valley Breeze & Observer reported that the Town Council had approved the purchase of the former international Catholic school for $5.3 million.

1 week ago | valleybreeze.com | Ethan Shorey

CUMBERLAND – A developer of new homes on Prospect Street on the Massachusetts state line cleared nearly four times as much space as he was allowed to under a soil and erosion permit, according to officials. Any development proposed to clear more than 10,000 square feet requires a development plan review, but owner Kegan Labonte went forward without getting that review and cleared nearly 40,000 square feet of land.

1 week ago | valleybreeze.com | Jacquelyn Moorehead

GLOCESTER – With two months of rugby under their belt, the Chieftains Rugby Team is hosting its first home tournament at Capt. Henry R. Phillips Field, 154 Foster Center Road, this Sat., May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. The tournament is the third in a six-series match, said Coach Alex MacLeod.