PROVIDENCE – The charitable arm of the Rhode Island Bar Association is seeking applications for two $20,000 scholarships for first-year Rhode Island law school students. more

Jeffrey A. Butler, broker-owner of Butler Realty Group, is the recipient of the 2012 National Commercial Award from the National Association of Realtors. The award, which honors outstanding achievement in the commercial realty industry, recognized Butler for his “deep contribution to the industry, which displays the strength of [the association’s] commercial members.” Butler, a graduate of Tollgate High School, serves as treasurer of both the Rhode Island Commercial and Appraisal Board of Realtors and the Rhode Island Statewide MLS. He is active with several other professional associations and has been a member of the Realtors association since 1977. more

This year, 17 Rhode Island communities will go through the rite of passage known as the revaluation cycle. State law requires a full property revaluation by the tax assessor in each city and town every nine years with less-detailed updates every three years. These values are important because, absent additional improvements or damage to the property, the values will stay the same for the entire cycle even though the tax rate will change each year. For many of us, that means this spring we’ll learn that the tax assessor, or a company hired by the assessor, has come up with a new tax value for any real estate we own. more

Bob Kunz, corporate safety director at Dimeo Construction Co.’s Providence office, was recently named the 2012 Construction Safety Professional of the Year by the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut. The award honors a leading individual from the commercial construction industry who has demonstrated skills, integrity and responsibility in his or her career. Kunz was presented the award during AGC’s eighth annual Industry Recognition Awards Dinner in October. He has been employed with Dimeo since 2007 and has worked as a safety professional since 1992. more

For the residents and office workers in Providence’s Empire district, 2012 has been a year of highs and lows. more

Private-equity backed, temporary staffing firm BG Staffing has acquired Pawtucket-based American Partners Inc., BG Staffing announced Tuesday. more

Rhode Island businesses face major developments in employment issues in 2013, with health care reform and labor regulations at the top of the list. Social media continues to be a challenge, with its expanding potential and its own share of annoyances. more

BRISTOL – The National Moot Court Team at Roger Williams University School of Law won the New England regional competition, besting Northeastern University, Boston University, Suffolk University and Syracuse University in the November competition. more

PROVIDENCE – Residential and commercial ventilation maker Nortek Inc. is combining the product and marketing strengths of its Gefen, TVOne and Magenta Research bands into ProAV Group in the Nortek Technology Solutions segment. more

The revitalization of the Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue neighborhoods in South Providence and Main Street in Woonsocket are ambitious goals, requiring study and a multidisciplinary approach. Thankfully, Arnold Robinson has a plan. more