"The state of Rhode Island wins another round in court over its actions related to Johnson’s Pond in Coventry.
A federal appeals court Friday affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against the state by the now-former owners of the reservoir, who still have another lawsuit pending against the town of Coventry.

Soscia Holdings, a local family company, sued the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in 2022, challenging the state law signed by Gov. Dan McKee that summer requiring the pond owners get DEM permission to raise and lower water levels. DEM subsequently found Soscia in violation of the law." Read the full article: Click/Tap here. 

May 14, 2025 - WJAR: "Rhode Island lawmakers heard testimony on several gun bills on Wednesday," one being the RI Assault Weapons Ban Act (2025.) A 2nd Amendment rally took place at the RI Statehouse. Rhode Island Current: "Todd Patalano, and Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat, voiced their opposition to the bill." For more information by WJAR click/tap here or, here from the RI Current.

"COVENTRY, RI (WPRI) — State lawmakers are standing firm in their commitment to support Coventry residents living along Johnson’s Pond... RI State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and Representative Thomas Noret have introduced legislation that would protect residents’ use of the pond for recreational purposes." To see and read more on this latest development - click/tap here.

Warkick Post: Coventry, RI "...Minutes before Superintendent Don Cowart withdrew his Coventry Schools restructure plan, RI State Senator Lou Raptakis suggested a study committee to examine the idea in depth. While he agreed with the decision to table the idea, Raptakis said, a community approach to gather information and input into what the benefits, cons, costs and work required to put the plan into effect would be is in order." ...More - Click/tap here.

"COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart has withdrawn his controversial proposal to reconfigure the district’s elementary schools..." "WJAR: Senator Reptakis suggested the town form a study commission." RI Stare Senator Lou Raptakis "I think the town council should be involved, the school committee should be involved, parents, teachers, teachers union." Click/tap on these links NBC10, CBS12, and ABC6 for the full story.

Rhode Island Senate State Senator Lou Raptakis spoke about the importance of treating our four-legged officers with dignity. This took place as the “Nero’s Law” was signed into law. RI K9s will receive medical care and transportation to a veterinary hospital if injured in the line of duty. Excerpt credit M. O'Brien's Facebook post

RI General Assembly News: “Not all heroes walk on two feet and I am glad that our heroic police K-9s will now be able to receive the care that they deserve if they are injured in the line of duty. I thank the sponsors, my colleagues in the General Assembly and Governor McKee for supporting this worthy piece of legislation,” said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33). For more detailed information please reference:

General Assembly News
https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=373016

Capital TV - Live Video Recording
https://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=5130665a1dbc...

General Assembly Passes Child Endangerment Bill
"The General Assembly passed legislation (2022-H 7807, 2022-S 2808) introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) that would establish felony penalties for guardians convicted of child endangerment. The bill would establish criminal penalties for a wanton or reckless act or omission of a parent, guardian or any other person who has custody or control of a child, where those acts or omissions result in substantial risk of serious bodily injury to the child or sexual abuse of a child in their care. The legislation now heads to the governor’s office for consideration." Read the Full News Release at General Assemble News.

Bill Passed (S 2181 Sub A) to Protect Johnson's Pond in Coventry Heading to Governor's Desk:
"The bill requires dam owners across Rhode Island to get permission to raise or lower water levels, or face a $60,000 fine per day." Read All About It by Jimmy Bentley (Patch Staff Reporter) and View the Live Video on Capital TV.