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Study: More than half of pets overweight
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The former chairman of the Rhode Island Senate's commerce committee has admitted accepting more than $300,000 in cash and gifts from health-care companies.
John Celona, a Democrat from North Providence, apologized to his constituents, the state, and his family and friends after he emerged from Thursday's hearing in federal court, the Providence Journal reported.
"This has been a most difficult time," he said. "But I have determined that this plea is the best thing for me, my wife, my family, my sons and the people of the state of Rhode Island."
Celona's guilty plea includes an agreement for a reduced sentence if he continues to cooperate with federal prosecutors.
Three companies -- the CVS drugstore chain, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Roger Williams Medical Center -- and seven of their executives were named by federal prosecutors in a recitation of Celona's misdeeds. None has been charged, but the Journal reported the audience in the courtroom included most of the state's finest criminal lawyers.
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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 13 (UPI) --
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake shook Costa Rica Monday and could be felt as far away as Panama, officials said.
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NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 13 (UPI) --
A funeral is being planned for songstress Whitney Houston in her hometown of Newark, N.J., later this week, sources close to her family told NBC New York.
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SYDNEY, Feb. 13 (UPI) --
Researchers in Australia are developing a solar roof system that uses wasted energy to warm air and water.
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NEWPORT, R.I., Feb. 13 (UPI) --
Lottery officials said Monday the winning $336.4 million Powerball ticket was sold at a Rhode Island convenience store, but the winner had yet to come forward.
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