News | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

DEM issues new temporary license for direct sale of some seafood

PROVIDENCE — To help foster the continued viability of the Rhode Island commercial seafood industry during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) … more

4/30/20

Almost all COVID-positive residents at Bristol nursing home now recovered

Bristol residents were surprised last week when the state began releasing names of nursing homes with COVID cases, to find St. Elizabeth Manor on the list, a facility which is home to many family and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/30/20

Georgia MacDougall would have performed the lead in the spring musical at Mt. Hope High School. She’s now looking ahead to college in the fall — while wondering if she’ll even be allowed to go to college.

The Class of 2020 — With their senior spring gone ... what comes next?

They are like every other senior class: they are athletes and academics, artists, community organizers, and leaders. Many of them are all of these things and more. They have hopes and dreams, and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/30/20

Gov. Gina Raymond announces Thursday that traditional schooling won't resume this school year.

Governor: Home learning the rule in RI for rest of this school year

Distance learning — “How long will it last?“ is the question Governor Gina Raimondo said she has heard more than any other. And Thursday came her answer … more

By Bruce Burdett | 4/23/20

Rockwell Elementary School Principal Tara McAuliffe talks about the transition to distance learning during a Zoom interview inside her house.

Rockwell report: Through screens, hard work and creativity, the learning continues

Every Rhode Island educator is swimming in the deep end of the pool these days, learning how to teach children from their kitchens while students are home in their bedrooms, all of them surrounded by … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/23/20

Dr. Deborah DiBiase, at home in her new “office,” talks about the challenges and triumphs of distance learning during a “Zoom” interview.

Dr. D says: ‘I miss the kids!’

Dr. D, as she’s commonly known, gets an unexpected kiss from one of her dogs during a “Zoom” interview. Mt. Hope High School Principal Deb DiBiase has an office familiar to most … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/23/20

A drone shot of the Mt. Hope High School stadium Monday night shows the football field engulfed in light, plus a string of vehicles traveling up Chestnut Street.

School, town and students honor the Mt. Hope Class of 2020

Deborah DiBiase stood alone on the field of the Mt. Hope High School football stadium, engulfed in light. It was just before 8:20 p.m. on Monday, April 20, and the high school principal was live and … more

By Kristen Ray | 4/22/20

Grand gesture will light the lights for the Class of 2020

The Bristol Warren school community is planning a symbolic show of support for the Class of 2020 — Mt. Hope High School seniors whose final, should-be triumphant days in school are being wiped … more

4/17/20

Bristol Police: Residents tattle on neighbors for gatherings, soccer, beer pong

The most frequent call for Bristol law enforcement these days is from residents reporting the groups, gatherings and activities of neighbors who might be violating social distancing standards. … more

4/17/20

Bristol raccoon's high-wire act is back

This extremely large and agile resident of an unclear downtown address achieved regional notoriety when a video of his high-wire-walking antics ended up on sports and pop culture blog Barstool, … more

4/17/20

The newly released model shows a “blue line” scenario where the state’s healthcare system has enough hospital beds, and a “red line” scenario where it does not.

State releases modeling, with virus peak coming sooner, or later

Gov. Gina Raimondo added two new terms to the growing lexicon of Covid-19 terminology. Along with “social distancing” and “Knock it off,” Rhode Islanders can add “Blue … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/16/20

Bristol Fire Marshal Robert Ferguson (left) and Fire Chief Michael DeMello demonstrate the full package of protective gear they use if responding to a call with a known or suspected Covid-19 patient.

Business as usual at the fire department (not really)

Everything is normal at the Bristol Fire Department — understanding, of course, that absolutely nothing in life is normal these days. Firefighters and paramedics are still responding to … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/16/20

A window on Roosevelt Drive in Bristol offers bears for the hunters — and hope for the future.

Bear hunters take to the streets in Bristol and Warren

Inspired by the Michael Rosen book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” and motivated by the need for something — anything — to do with restless little ones who do not understand why their playdates and playground visits have been cancelled, bears (and other creatures) have been popping up in windows across America and beyond. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/16/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo talks about the new order requiring all employees in customer-facing businesses to wear face coverings.

Governor mandates face coverings for all ‘customer-facing’ businesses

Gov. Gina Raimondo’s daily press briefing included the announcement of a new executive order, to take effect this Saturday, April 18. It will require all “customer-facing” … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/14/20

Raimondo: Six more deaths, 288 new cases of coronavirus

There were six more deaths, 288 new cases and 169 people reported to be in the hospital in relation to the coronavirus, announced Gov. Gina Raimondo during her daily briefing Friday afternoon. That … more

4/10/20

Bristol Police: Residents reporting gatherings and groups all over town

For the second straight week, criminal activity was light, but calls about groups and small gatherings were a frequent occurrence. Following are Bristol Police calls from March 30 to April 5. … more

4/10/20

Victor Goglia hands the last of Goglia’s Market’s legendary grinders to Sue Rohrman of State Street on Thursday, April 2.

After 102 years, Goglia’s Market is closing down

For more than a century, Goglia’s Market has been serving fresh meat and staples in the Wood Street neighborhood of Bristol. It was established in 1918 by Peter Goglia, the grandfather of … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/10/20

Town by town, virus surge continues — the local count

Led by East Providence with 49, then Barrington with 17, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise in the East Bay, as in the rest of Rhode Island. Next door in Westport there … more

4/10/20

Brody, now 10 weeks old, sits atop one of the painted rocks at Mt. Hope High School, where he will be frequently be reporting for duty as a comfort/therapy (once schools reopen to students).

Officer Brody, reporting for duty in Bristol

Earlier this week Bristol welcomed the youngest, smallest and by far cutest officer in the history of the town’s police force. Brody, a 10-week-old chocolate labrador retriever, was formally … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/9/20

DEM, Marine association provides boating community with virus guidelines

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association last week issued the following guidance regarding the safe operation of … more

4/9/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo talks about a new executive order that authorizes fines for those not following the state's isolation or home quarantine directives.

State adds teeth (fines) to quarantine measures; governor says surge is weeks away

The State of Rhode Island is getting more serious about its orders for people to stay in isolation or self-quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier today, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/9/20

Bernie Lambrese (left) takes delivery from Paul Mancieri of Leo’s.

Bristol volunteers and donors are sending 5-star meals to hospital workers

The effort started a couple of weeks age, when Bristol resident Bernie Lambrese, a longtime healthcare entrepreneur, saw a news story about an effort in Washington, D.C. to get delicious meals to … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/9/20

The Town Crier leads the 2019 Bristol Fourth of July Parade.

Bristol scaling down Fourth parade, most events are postponed

Here’s what they know so far … There is a 2020 chief marshal for the nation’s oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration, but that person will not be announced until the … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/9/20

Governor Raimondo announces 220 more coronavirus cases, 143 people now in the hospital at her April 8 briefing.

Raimondo: Five more die, cases in ‘rapid spread’

Rhode Island is at a “big clip of increase … in the rapid spread phase” of the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Gina Raimondo said at her daily briefing Wednesday (2:30 p.m. today), … more

By Bruce Burdett | 4/8/20

Friends do a birthday drive-by for Alan Leach on Friday.

A birthday surprise for their middle school buddy

Not even a global pandemic could rain on Alan Leach’s parade Friday night. Though the 14-year-old was disappointed he could not celebrate his birthday like usual — getting ice cream … more

By Kristen Ray | 4/8/20