CRANSTON, R.I. — The School Committee Monday night unanimously approved separate three-year contract proposals for its bus drivers and mechanics, agreements that call for 2 percent raises in 2017-18 and leave pay rates for the two following years to future negotiations. Both agreements now go to the City Council for its review and final approval. A fiscal analysis of the agreements by the school department estimated that over the next three years, the bus driver agreement, wh

CRANSTON, RI — The Cranston Police Department is recruiting new officers and "really trying to increase diversity on the force," the mayor's office said. To that end, the second of two recruitment drives is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 at the police training complex, 493 Phenix Ave. The mayor will be stopping by, too. The starting salary is $45,559.28. Here are some of the details from the job announcement. • Annual step increases for four years to $63,516.44 • Health and

Homeless advocates say Cranston's ordinance is unconstitutional. They're in municipal court on Tuesday. CRANSTON, RI — Last March numerous "panhandlers" were issued tickets for protesting the ordinance by panhandling, according to Karen Jeffreys, homeless advocate. Eight tickets were issued to protesters with the charge of “pedestrians on freeways,” which is a traffic citation. Also, seven City of Cranston tickets were given for “solicitation on roadways prohibited,” which vi