Man arrested after crash
PUTNAM — A Rhode Island man was arrested after an accident on School Street Sept. 27, according to Putnam Police.
The Putnam Police Department, the Putnam EMS and the Putnam Fire Department were dispatched to the area around 145 School St. for a reported car vs utility pole.
Police said Ronald Bonner Jr., 51, of Pascoag was traveling eastbound on School Street, and he lost control of his vehicle swerving to avoid colliding with a car pulling out from a side street. Bonner lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway, striking a fire hydrant then a utility pole, snapping it at its base and causing disabling damage to the vehicle.
Police said Bonner displayed signs of impairment and was subjected to a series of Standardized Field Sobriety tests which were not performed to standard. He was charged with operating under the influence, traveling unreasonably fast and failure to maintain lane. Eversource Electric was called to the scene to address the utility damage and restore power, which was temporarily out in the surrounding area.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty.
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Langevin, Centaurs take 1st in frosh race at Ocean State Invite
Winning a freshman event is not something that generally nets headlines. But the Ocean State cross-country Invitational run in North Kingstown. R.I., Saturday, does draw a lot of teams not only from its host state but from all of New England and even beyond.
So it’s not a surprise that coach Joe Banas was pretty pumped after his freshmen unit captured first place in its 4000m race for small schools and also had the individual champion.
“We were all thrilled,” Banas said. "I had fellow (ECC) coaches like Mike Flynn (of East Lyme) text me. This is a big deal. This is our future and I’m hoping to build on this.”
Emelia Langevin has, as expected after a strong start in junior high cross-country, burst on to the cross-country scene.
The youngster, who finished first in the Centaurs first home meet against Ledyard, led everyone home again.
“She led from out of the gate and wanted to beat the time of the freshman winner in the large school race (which took place earlier in the day) and she finished six seconds faster, the fastest time of the day for a freshman,” Banas said.
Langevin led 60 runners across the line, coasting across in 15 minutes, 39 seconds which was 44 seconds better than Talia Labell of Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School in South Hamilton, Mass.
“I think this will definitely help her this season. It was great that she actually got to break a big tape, a really big tape with her arms in the air,” Banas said. “The younger kids never get the attention --- they’re always in the back --- but there were a lot of freshmen girls in this race and I think she deserved this.”
Banas could have run Langevin and Clair Bruneaux, his top two varsity runners in the Varsity race but chose not to.
Bruneau finished fifth in 16:39.
“Claire might have learned a little (Saturday), she went out a little too aggressively, faded, but held on, which was good because if we would have lost a few more places, we would have lost the title,” Banas said.
Brianna Beck placed 13th for the Centaurs; Alexandra Dobosz was 48th and Sophie Bruneaux 51st.
“Brianna ran really well and the other two girls were running their first race ever in high school and I was just happy that they were able to finish and be a part of the winning team,” Banas said.
The varsity team, minus its top three runners as Isabel D’Alleva-Bochain was out on a college visit, still finished 12th out of 31 teams.
Olivia Tracy was tops for Woodstock Academy in the varsity race as she placed 45th in 22:08.
Boys’ Cross-Country
It was not exactly the easiest day to be running a cross-country meet. For the boys in the invitational as temperatures hovered around 80 degrees.
The Centaurs acquitted themselves well as they came away with a ninth-place out of the 49 teams that scored in the Varsity 2 small school race.
“I think a top-10 finish in the boys’ race was excellent. They had to deal with a hot day and a super-fast start and they all did great,” said coach Josh Welch.
Sophomore Lucas Hecker led the Centaurs across the line with a 26th-place overall finish in 17 minutes, 20 seconds.
“Lucas hung in there after getting out fast and ran near a personal best. Sam Greene looked strong throughout and ran his fastest time yet,” Welch said.
Greene finished in 42nd in 17:44 while Bronson Eddy posted a 66th-place finish (18:09) and Harrison Durand was 70th (18:12). Carter Mydlarz was the fifth Centaurs runner in 143rd out of the 344 runners who took to the course.
The freshmen contingent of the boys’ team also showed well as it placed fifth overall led by a 20th-place finish from Liam Hewson (15:13) and a 28th for Jaxon Welch (16:14) in the 4000m race.
“Liam and Jaxon both ran a faster pace than we have season so far this season and we’re hoping that will transfer to their upcoming 5K races,” Josh Welch said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Captions: 123.1: Three members of the Woodstock Academy boys’ cross-country team took home medals from the Ocean State Invitational Saturday. (From left to right) Woodstock Academy freshman Liam Hewson earned a medal for 20th-place in the 4000m freshman race; Lucas Hecker for a 26th-place finish in the boys’ varsity 2 race and Jaxon Welch for a 28th-place finish in the freshman event.
IMG 2757: Woodstock Academy freshman Emelia Langevin heads for a first-place finish at the Ocean State Invitational 4000m freshman race at Goddard Park in North Kingstown, R.I.
2025 Ocean State Invite champs: The freshmen members of the Woodstock Academy girls’ cross-country team (from left to right) Coach Joe Banas, Sophie Bruneaux, Claire Bruneaux, Emelia Langevin, Brianna Beck and Alexandra Dobosz display the freshman championship plaque at the Ocean State Invitational on Saturday. Photos contributed by Woodstock Academy.
Roundup
Commitments, soccer and football at PSA
Hatchett commits to Fairfield
Jah Hatchett became the third member of the Putnam Science Academy men’s prep team to pledge his allegiance to a Div. I program. The Michigan native will continue his basketball career at Fairfield University.
Hatchett played at East Kentwood High School before transferring to Putnam Science Academy after reclassifying into the Class of 2026. He took a chance on himself coming into the PSA program and the elite competition faced on a daily basis. He made the most of the chance, becoming an instrumental part of the program’s 5th national championship. A point guard more than capable of running an offense on the national prep basketball stage.
Basketball is in Hatchett’s blood, his father played in college and then in the semi-professional league. Jah Hatchett’s basketball inspiration is Allen Iverson while mixing in a little Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers into his game. Garland’s ability to control the tempo of the game, hit floaters and knock down open shots is similar to Hatchett’s way of approaching the game.
Tambedou commits to Maryland
At this time next fall Adama Tambedou will be playing Big Ten basketball. The four-star forward committed to the University of Maryland, joining first year head coach Buzz Williams in College Park.
The 6-foot, 7-inch, 230-pound forward chose the Terrapins over Iowa State and a host of other Div. I schools. Coach Williams and members of his staff flew to Connecticut to see Tambedou for a short visit last week. That visit ultimately made a huge impact when deciding where to play.
“Not all coaches can do that sacrifice for you. If they want you that much, why not go play for them,” said Tambedou. He chose the Terrapins for many reasons, one being how much the program buys into the defensive side of the floor. Access to the gym and weight room facilities was another plus for Tambedou. It is where he can be the best version of himself. “They’re going to help you get better and better. With that program I can be the better version of myself,” he said. Tambedou has cherished his time at Putnam Science Academy. Not only because he was an instrumental part of last year’s national championship team. He has grown exponentially since coming to the school. On and off the court. He credits the PSA coaching staff for the evolution of his game and helping him become a better teammate. Adama Tambedou plans to do at Maryland what he has done at Putnam Science Academy, win.
Boys’ Soccer
OAKDALE — Good things come to those who wait. It took a while, but the Putnam Science Academy Prep boys’ soccer team got 2 goals in the 77th minute and the 79th minute both from Fernando Domingues to beat St. Thomas More 2-1 last week to capture their first win of the season. With the win the Mustangs improve to 1-3 on the season.
Football
NEWPORT, R.I. — The PSA football team faced a formidable foe in its game against Navy Prep losing 48-6 on the road. Facing a 20-0 deficit quarterback Demarcus Williams found second-year wide receiver Ronald Florian-Moreta in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, closing the gap 20-6 in the second quarter. The Mustangs had to battle a multitude of injuries along with the incredible size that Navy displayed on the offensive and defensive line. “Says a lot to finish through the game; we continued to fight. That’s what we’re looking for,” said Head Coach Mook Zimmerman.
Ben Heacox
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Agnes Ida Cote
DANIELSON — Agnes (Touchette) Cote, 91, of Walnut Street, died Sept. 20, 2025, at home, surrounded by family. Born 1934, in Dayville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ida (Charon) Touchette.
Agnes worked as a machine operator in the textile mills for many years. In her free time, she loved playing bingo, testing her luck with scratch offs and making trips to the casino. She had a love of camping with her life partner Matt Crumm and spending winters in Florida.
She leaves two daughters, Renee Racine of Dayville and Debra Estabrook of Danielson; grandchildren, Dawn, Michael, John Anthony, Seth, and Kara; great-grandchildren, Paul, Trystin, Kaedynce, Arya, Brennen, Damien, Brody, and Hadley; great-great-grandson, Paul; good friend, Rhea; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joseph Touchette, Alfred Touchette, Leon Touchette, Donald Columbia, Edmond Touchette, and Rita Dragon.
The Graveside Service is at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Dayville. Donations: National Breast Cancer Foundation. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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