A State in Shock

Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 | Edition #10

GOOD MORNING, WARWICK. During a week like this, it’s hard to find comic relief amid the madness. Rhode Island communities have faced a troubling stretch of headlines, with violence intruding on spaces meant for learning, recreation, and connection.

We hear tragic stories on the nightly news all the time, but for the second time in nearly as many months, the cameras are pointed at our community for the wrong reasons — a stark reminder that “elsewhere” isn’t nearly as far away as we’d like to believe. 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2 Killed, 3 in Critical Condition After Shooting at Pawtucket Ice Rink

What happened: On Monday afternoon, a gunman opened fire during a high school boys hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. Two people were killed — later identified as Rhonda Dorgan, 56, and her adult son, Aidan. Three others, including family members and a family friend, were critically injured. The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The details: Police described the incident as a targeted act stemming from a family dispute that unfolded in one of the most public ways imaginable. The game was being livestreamed, meaning viewers at home heard the chaos in real time as players fled the ice and spectators scrambled for safety. Authorities say a bystander attempted to intervene, a move credited with helping bring the attack to a quicker end. More than 100 witnesses have been interviewed, with federal and state agencies assisting in the investigation.

The kids: The Coventry–Johnston and St. Raphael co-op teams were playing a senior-night matchup. None of the players were physically injured, but many sheltered in locker rooms as the situation unfolded. These were high school athletes at a routine game — until suddenly it wasn’t.

What comes next: The Rhode Island Interscholastic League has temporarily suspended games statewide. Mental health resources have been expanded, with officials urging anyone struggling to call or text 988. It marks the second mass shooting in Rhode Island in just over two months.

No punchline here. Just a community — our community — grieving again.

There's no graceful way to pivot from that. But if anything earns the right to pull us out of the darkness this week, it's two Warwick natives representing their country on the world's biggest stage. Here’s that and more:

Warwick Olympians Making Noise on the World Stage

While the news at home has been heavy, Warwick natives are giving the city something to rally around overseas.

The USA women’s hockey team reclaimed the gold medal Thursday after a dramatic win over Canada 2-1. Hilary Knight tied the game late in third period before Megan Keller notched the game-winner in overtime. It’s the first gold medal for USA women’s hockey since 2018.

Connected to the program is Warwick’s own Doug Ferry, serving as Hockey Operations and Event Manager for the U.S. Women’s National Team — a key role supporting the squad at the 2026 Olympics in Milan. Ferry joined USA Hockey in 2024 after stops at Providence College and helped manage operations for last year’s gold-medal-winning world championship team.

On the men’s side, another Warwick hometown product is shaping outcomes from the bench. John Hynes, a 1993 Toll Gate graduate and current head coach of the Minnesota Wild, is serving as an assistant coach on the U.S. Men’s National Team as they pursue Olympic success. The team faces Slovakia on Friday in the Semi-Finals, with medal hopes very much alive. From Toll Gate Titan to Olympic bench boss — not a bad trajectory for a Warwick hockey bro.

Each week, we’ll ask you a not-so-typical Warwick trivia question to see how much of a towny you really are. Don’t ChatGPT this either, ya nark.

Q: Warwick is a city of neighborhoods — but one neighborhood can't actually be reached from the rest of Warwick without leaving the city entirely. Which neighborhood is it, and what town do you have to drive through to get there?

Answer can be found at the end of the newsletter!

If you thought Dunkin’ dominated the “locations per square mile” game in Warwick, car washes are starting to make a serious run at the title. The old Walgreens at Wilde's Corner on West Shore Road is set to become the city’s next auto spa. The Planning Board gave preliminary approval last week for a Washville Car Wash to move in. You’ll soon be able to grab a Whopper, get your hooptie all shined up, and pull a “u-ey” back to the bank to grab more cash for next time all in the same parking lot. What a plaza. What a life.

Washville is a regional chain with 23 locations across New England and Long Island. If approved, cars would enter from West Shore Road or Salisbury Street, where the old Walgreens drive-through sat, and exit back onto West Shore Road. The DOT and DEM have both already signed off — no full traffic study required, which neighbors in the area may have some thoughts about.

Final approval still needed. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a place to wash your car, just go stand on your roof and look out onto the horizon. You’ll find one pretty quickly.

🏫 Schools Showdown Continues — Voters said no to a $50 million bond for athletic facilities at the new Pilgrim and Toll Gate campuses. Mayor Picozzi's response was essentially: we'll figure it out. The leading idea is a shared stadium for both schools — which is either a sensible compromise or the start to a rivalry feud that'll last until the next time our schools sink into a swamp. Construction marches on regardless.

🦪 Quahogs Back in Business — After three weeks locked in by ice, Narragansett Bay shellfishermen are finally back on the water. More than 150 licensed harvesters returned Monday to beds stretching from Conimicut Point toward Gaspee. The 1,900-acre Area E zone — only reopened in 2022 after decades of closure — is back in play. Rhode Island's working waterfront doesn't take snow days. Respect.

⚓ Apponaug Pier Revival — The long-deteriorated city-owned pier in Apponaug Cove is finally getting a second act. City Council approved funding for a full reconstruction — new pier, floating dock, shoreline stabilization — with the same footprint as before. Maybe they’ll even add a bar with $5 Apponaug brewery beers on tap… I mean, if we can get bumper cars, why not?! If permitting moves quickly, public access could return by summer 2026. Boaters, fishermen, and people who just like standing near water: pencil it in.

📻 WPD Getting an $800K Upgrade — Congressman Seth Magaziner stopped by Warwick Police headquarters this week to announce $800,000 in federal funding for new radios and scanners. The upgrade replaces aging equipment and — more importantly — lets Warwick officers actually talk to other agencies during emergencies, even if they’re on different radio systems. In a week when Rhode Island got a harsh reminder of that reality, the timing felt especially relevant. And yes, this may be the rare press conference that delivered something more useful than a podium and a photo op.

Trivia Answer: Potowomut — you have to pass through East Greenwich to get there. It shares East Greenwich's zip code (02818) and most people think it's part of East Greenwich entirely. Our police officers and DPW workers have to leave the city just to reach the “Potties” of Potowomut. We always have to make things difficult in this city, don’t we?!

That's it for today. Got a tip, a gripe, or a photo of a pothole that could swallow a Subaru? We read everything. Hit reply. See you Monday!

Stay safe, Warwick ☕

The Warwick Wake Up | Keeping Warwick in the know in 10 minutes or less.

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